Serious crisis averted as fire service manages to control blaze

The upper flat of a Lot 43 building at the corner of Broad and Russell Streets, Georgetown was destroyed by a fire on Wednesday but a greater catastrophe was averted as firefighters were able to control the blaze.

Rudolph Gravesande, the building’s proprietor who lives in the bottom flat, said he was nearby when children told him that his house was on fire.

“When I reverse back to the yard, I look up and I see the bedroom on fire.

“… It wasn’t smoking, it was gushing (with) fire,” he recalled.

Gravesande alerted other persons nearby and they all rushed to retrieve valuables and some household items from the bottom flat.

When the News Room arrived on the scene, at around 18:45 hrs, the blaze had already been controlled but Broad Street was littered with the household items and appliances that were saved from the blaze.

“… I get what I cudda get,” Gravesande said.

He, however, noted that nothing from the upper flat was saved. The upper flat is occupied by his tenant, a man with a disability. Importantly, no one was injured.

Meanwhile, Divisional Officer-in-Charge of Operations at the Guyana Fire Service Haimchandra Persaud told reporters at the scene that firefighters have not yet been able to ascertain the cause of the fire.

He, however, related that the fire report was made at 18:29 hrs and that three fire engines responded immediately. As such, the blaze did not spread to the bottom flat nor did it spread to the wooden buildings in close proximity to the Lot 43 premises.

“I would want to compliment my ranks for the job well done,” Persaud said.

Importantly, he pointed out that Guyana is currently experiencing a drier season and as such, he cautioned all persons to be more conscious of their actions so that they can prevent such catastrophic occurrences. (Vishani Ragobeer)