‘Unacceptable’ – Nandlall laments fire service response at Bush Lot blaze

Attorney General Anil Nandlall on Tuesday night lamented what he described as a subpar response from the Guyana Fire Service in the disaster at Bush Lot, Berbice that claimed the life of Carl Persaud.

Speaking during his weekly ‘Issues in the News’ programme, Nandlall raised concerns brought to his attention following the inferno. And he blazed the fire service for their response.

“The response from the fire service leaves a lot to be desired.

“We cannot keep making the same mistakes, fire engines cannot keep turning up to fires without water.

“This is unacceptable but I suppose the subject minister will speak more elaborately on this issue at an appropriate time,” the Attorney General lamented.

Three buildings, which housed several businesses including an insurance company, were destroyed in the inferno which started at about 17:45 hrs on Monday at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice.

Carl Persaud, who lived alone in the upper flat of one of the buildings perished.

Residents saw Persaud hand outstretched through a bedroom window as the fire spread throughout the upper flat of the house.

The Guyana Fire Service, in a statement, said firefighters from the Onverwagt Fire Station arrived “shortly after” the blaze began; they were subsequently joined by others from the Mahaica Fire Station, New Amsterdam Fire Station and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) fire department.

Residents, however, raised concerns that the firefighters took some time before they responded. The firefighters were also accused of responding with insufficient water. Concerns have also been raised about the “unprofessional manner” the firefighters behaved in.

Nandlall said Home Affairs Robeson Benn will likely address the matter but emphasised that “the response of our fire service must be drastically improved.”

“The people of our country deserve better,” he opined.