– 12 reported homeless following blaze

WITH 12 persons now homeless after a fire destroyed a workers’ living quarters in Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), the Guyana Fire Service is denying claims that its fire truck arrived at the scene without water.

In a release, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) said it received the emergency call that a building was on fire at 12:11 hours on Wednesday last.

The fire department said Water Tender 69, from the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) located close to Kwakwani, was immediately dispatched to the location.

According to the fire department’s statement, the structure involved was a flat wooden building that was owned by Inshally Bacchus, and was reportedly used as a workers’ living quarters.

As a result of the fire, the building and its contents were destroyed, leaving twelve persons homeless. There were no reported casualties or injuries resulting from the fire, the fire department confirmed.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.

The GFS said that when firefighters arrived on the scene, a significant amount of water was needed considering the size of the blaze.

“In such cases, assistance is rendered from an open water source in order to extinguish the fire. One jet working from Water Tender 69 from a nearby open canal extinguished the fire.

“The Guyana Fire Service is therefore refuting claims which suggest that the Water Tender arrived without water,” the GFS said.

The GFS also commended the residents for their swift action which assisted in saving Bacchus’s home, located next to the living quarters.

The Fire Service went on to recommend the installation of smoke detectors, and the use of fire extinguishers in homes and businesses for better fire alertness and preparation.