Inmate used lighter to set mattress on fire but quick response prevented major damage

A fire at Camp Street Prison on Monday was ignited by an inmate who used a lighter to set a mattress ablaze.

The resulting blaze quickly spread to nearby combustible materials, but thanks to the swift response of the Guyana Fire Service and the proactive efforts of prison officers, a potential disaster was averted.

The emergency call came in at 14:10 hrs, and within six minutes, fire units were on the scene with 8,517 liters of water, deploying four water tenders and one water carrier.

Eighteen firefighters worked tirelessly to control the fire that had broken out in the three-story concrete and metal structure owned by the Government of Guyana.

Despite the rapid response, the fire destroyed a mattress and some clothing, and left two individuals injured: Christopher Stanley, 25, with second-degree burns, and Delon Blake, 35, with first-degree burns on his upper right shoulder. Remarkably, no one was displaced by the fire.

Prior to the fire service’s arrival, prison officers had already taken decisive action, using three dry chemical extinguishers to combat the blaze. The Guyana Fire Service commended their efforts, which played a crucial role in minimizing damage and controlling the fire.