The Government Technical Institute (GTI) had a fire scare on Wednesday afternoon and Principal Carl Benn says he is thankful for the student Occupational Health and Safety Programme offered by the institution.
One of the key areas of safety taught to students as a part of the course is extinguishing fires. Benn said students were able to put the fire out in less than ten minutes on Wednesday.
According to Mark Adams, Head of the Electrical Engineering Department, the fire started after one of the three electrical phases that the institution’s electrical system operates on burned out. This caused extensive overheating in the building, which led to an air conditioning unit becoming overheated at the back of the building, which resulted in the fire.
Benn said the fire was a small one but could have been devastating to the institution’s building, especially since it started at the back of the building.
He said had that happened during the night, no doubt the building would have been completely engulfed in flames. Benn added that the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) responded quickly to the report of fire and rewired the burnt area.
The institute was founded in 1956 and at present has a student population of over 500. It offers 38 courses, including Craft or trade training, Carpentry and Joinery, Electrical Installation, Radio and Television Servicing.
