The Public Relations Office of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation says that at around 9.40 this morning, one of the hospital’s staff was carrying out welding works on the Middle Street gate, during which a small fire started but which was quickly put out.
A release from the hospital said that GPHC staff acted quickly and contained the situation by throwing sand on the fire. In addition, the Guyana Fire Service was summoned and they responded almost immediately and within minutes the blaze was completely extinguished.
The release said that it is understood that a drum, which contained some unknown substance, was close to the area where the welding was taking place and the staff was unaware of this. “Management is still seeking to ascertain the contents of the drum, which is the property of the Ministry of Health and was in that area due to the continuation of construction works to the nearby National TB Programme Unit building”, the release added.
Management commended the staff whose efforts contained the fire; in addition to the Guyana Fire Service for their swift response and action.