A number of persons were trapped on the sixth floor of the Ramada Princess Hotel at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) when a fire broke out late Saturday night but they were all rescued and safely evacuated.
In a press release issued on Sunday, the Guyana Fire Service said only one guest was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) to be treated for smoke inhalation.
There were no serious injuries or casualties, the fire service noted.
The fire started at around 22:47hrs in room 431 which is situated on the fourth floor.
At the time, the Fire Service said 293 adults and 4 children were registered at the hotel. The hotel has 194 rooms.
According to the GFS, a number of water tenders and appliance were dispatched to the scene after smoke was observed emanating from the eastern side of the building, triggering the fire alarm and sprinkler systems.
A team of twenty-eight firefighters, who were commanded by Fire Chief (ag) Gregory Wickham immediately went into action and managed to contain the blaze, the GFS said.
“The recently acquired hydraulic high-rise platform was also used to rescue a number of persons who were trapped on the sixth floor of the hotel,” the release noted.
The room of origin along with two others were significantly damaged.
And though firefighting operations ceased around 03:10hrs, the fire service said police and fire personnel remained on standby at the scene, to lend additional support.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
“Investigations are underway by Fire Prevention officials to ascertain the cause of the fire,” the GFS said.
Reports through the grapevine are that several guests lost valuables and documents after they quickly evacuated the hotel leaving their room in a hurry ?
So, only hotel personnel and GFS personnel were able to be there as this emergency arose.
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