-one treated for smoke inhalation, says GFS

THE fire that broke out on Saturday night at the Ramada Princess Hotel and Casino at Providence, East Bank Demerara, is under investigation by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).

The incident occurred on the fourth floor in room 431 of the six-storey building, which houses 194 rooms and a casino.

According to a statement from the GFS, at the time of the fire the hotel had 293 adults and four children registered as guests, most of whom were in Guyana for the ongoing Cricket Carnival and Caribbean Premier League (CPL) matches.

“Smoke was observed emanating from the eastern side of the building which triggered the fire alarm and sprinkler systems… The Fire Department was called and informed of the fire at 22:47hrs.,” the statement said.

Eccles, Diamond, Central, and West Ruimveldt Fire Stations dispatched water tenders, water carriers, a hydraulic platform (HP), three ambulances, and personnel to the scene.

The first appliance arrived at 22:54hrs, and under the command of Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham, 28 firefighting personnel successfully evacuated all hotel guests and contained the blaze promptly.

The Fire Service said that the newly acquired hydraulic high-rise platform was instrumental in rescuing several individuals trapped on the sixth floor of the hotel.

Emergency Medical Technicians conveyed one guest to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for treatment for smoke inhalation and no serious injuries or casualties were reported.

Firefighting operations concluded at 03:10hrs Sunday, with significant damage in the room of origin and adjacent rooms (433 and 435). Firefighters employed two lines working from water carrier #14, water tender #116, HP #2, and an open-water source to extinguish the fire.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali; Vice-President Bharrat Jadgeo; Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Minister of Tourism, Oneidge Walrond; Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy; Acting Police Commissioner, Clifton Hicken and other officials were at the scene from around 23:00hrs Saturday night until about 03:00hrs. on Sunday.

Fire-prevention officials have initiated investigations to determine the cause of the fire, and both police and fire personnel remain on standby at the location to provide additional support as needed.