FIRE Chief Marlon Gentle has reported that this year the major causes of fires are faulty electrical appliances and wiring, both internal and external, domestic/family disputes and electricity theft. Giving statistics, he revealed that so far this year, the Fire Service received 663 fire calls, while the figure for the same period last year was 1196.
He added that in 2010, 72 buildings were destroyed, while 29 were severely damaged, with 52 slightly damaged in fires leaving 222 persons homeless and one dead.
Gentle noted that this year, 59 buildings were destroyed, 28 severely damaged, 79 slightly damaged, leaving 231 homeless and seven dead.
The Fire Chief stated that external electrical faults also contributed to fires this year, and that homeowners should have certified electrical technicians wire their houses. And he advised people not to overload the electrical points in their homes.
He said, “Persons should switch off and unplug all their electrical appliances after use, and use appliances as advised designed by the manufacturers; appliances must be serviced, and power must be had the legal way.”
Gentle told the Guyana Chronicle that coming on to the end of the school term, parents should engage their children in meaningful activities rather than leave them unattended; and they must be reminded that matches and lighters are not toys and should not be played with.
He also advised persons to turn off all stoves after cooking.
Regarding the fire at Graham Street, Plaisance Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara, in which two of the five occupants were severely burnt, Gentle said that three children, including a baby, were hauled to safety by residents when the adults began fighting and a flammable substance was thrown on the woman which her spouse ignited and they were both burnt.
The fire reportedly started at about 23:00hrs and resulted in burns to Delon Gordon, 19, and Natasha Johnson, 21. They are now patients in the Burns Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital, in stable but critical condition.
The children, including the baby, suffered from smoke inhalation.