–children were playing with matches, Fire Service says

TRAGEDY struck a Cummings Park, ‘E’ Field Sophia Reserve, Georgetown family on Saturday when an 11-month-old infant, Melveena Angel Blair, lost her life in a fire that destroyed the home.
The fire, which erupted around 11:18hrs, left her mother Tineisha Israel, 34; father Carl Blair, 33; siblings Carl Blair Jr. (six), Carlton Blair (four), and Carlos Blair (two) homeless.

One sibling suffered third-degree burns, and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for urgent treatment.
The fire consumed a wooden structure measuring 3.3m x 2.6m, destroying the building and its contents. Emergency services, including Water Tenders #113 and #105, WC19, and an ambulance, responded to the scene with a crew of 25 personnel, including 15 firefighters. Despite the swift action of neighbours, who used buckets of water to extinguish the blaze, the fire spread rapidly, leaving little time to escape, the Ministry of Home Affairs noted in a press release.

Initial investigations by the Guyana Fire Service revealed that the fire was accidentally ignited by children playing with matches, which came into contact with nearby combustible materials, the press release noted.
“It was also revealed that no adult was present in the home at the time of the fire. The mother, Tineisha Israel, was working five houses away, leaving the children unsupervised when the fire broke out,” the Home Affairs Ministry noted.

Security Minister Robeson Benn visited the scene, where he met with family members and police officers of the Turkeyen Police Station to discuss the incident, and extend his support.
“Minister Benn, along with Chief Fire Officer Mr. Gregory Wickham and the firefighters express profound sorrow over the tragic loss of life. They extend their heartfelt condolences to the grieving family and the wider community affected by this devastating event,” the release noted.

Additionally, the Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud and personnel from her office have visited the scene and are currently offering assistance to the family.
“This tragedy has left not only a family but also an entire community in mourning. The Guyana Fire Service continues to urge parents and guardians to prioritise fire safety in their homes, and to educate children on the dangers of fire. Equip homes with fire extinguishers and smoke detectors and have buckets with sand nearby.

“The loss of 11-month-old Melveena Angel Blair serves as a stark reminder of the devastating and unpredictable nature of fires. As the community comes together to support the grieving family, fire safety measures must be practised to prevent similar tragedies in the future,” the press release concluded.