PROFESSIONAL work done by a group of diligent firefighters on Thursday night averted what could have been a major disaster, as they contained to the ground floor a fire that started in a three-storey building where a boutique is located.

The fire, electrical in origin, began in the interior of the A of H Boutique, located on Durban Street next to the First Assembly of God Church.
The fire originated from an overhead ceiling fan which fell on some clothing and quickly caught fire on the western side of the massive concrete building. The interior of the building was considerably damaged and also a quantity of high-end clothing that was on display in the store.
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) Divisional Officer (Operations) Compton Sparman told this publication that the GFS received a call at about 19:13 hours and three fire tenders responded, one from West Ruimveldt and two from Central Fire Station. He said the building was heavily secured by grillwork, and it took some time for firemen to get into the structure to douse the raging flames, but they managed to contain the fire to the ground floor of the building.
Sparman noted that the windows were locked and ventilation in the business place was minimal, thereby starving the fire of oxygen and making it easier for firemen to prevent the fire from spreading.
He explained that most business persons secure their buildings very well, but at the same time they do not cater for a fire; and often, getting in the building takes time, and that is one of the many challenges the GFS faces at fire scenes.

(Michel Outridge)