A FIRE, on Friday morning, claimed the lives of a 40-year-old father and his two daughters, ages six and four years, at their Charlestown home.

According to a press release, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) is investigating the circumstances which led to the early morning blaze.

At approximately 06:45 hrs, the GFS received a report of a fire at Lot 8 Drysdale Street, Charlestown, Georgetown.

Three water tenders, one water carrier, two ambulances and a hydraulic platform from Central, Alberttown, Campbellville, West Ruimveldt, and Fire Service Headquarters, respectively, were immediately dispatched to the location.

The first appliance arrived on scene at 06:48 hrs and firefighting operations began at approximately 06:50 hrs.

The structure involved was a two-storey wooden and concrete building, which was severely damaged by the time the fire was extinguished.

The GFS reminded citizens to exercise caution and follow safety measures to avoid home fires.

“Homes should be equipped with fire prevention and firefighting devices such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or buckets of sand, which will aid in alerting people to a fire and putting it out quickly,” the Fire Service said.

Citizens were urged to desist from using illegal electrical connections, which create hazards in the home and are a leading cause of electrical fires.

Additionally, while grill work provides homes and businesses with security, the GFS advised that there be an evacuation plan in place or a clear form of exit to be used in the event of a fire or emergency.