Sections of a three-storey building at Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara, were damaged by a fire on Thursday evening that started as a result of flammable vapours released from a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder.
A Guyana Fire Service (GFS) report stated that the fire was as a result of flammable vapours released from a LPG cylinder that came into contact with open flames from a lit gas stove. The fire subsequently ignited nearby combustible materials and spread throughout the first and second floors of the building.
Thursday evening at 18:32 hours the GFS received a call about a fire at Lot 360 Section ‘B’, Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara. Two water tenders and a water carrier from the Melanie, Campbellville, and Alberttown fire stations immediately responded to the scene. The structure involved was a three-storey wooden and concrete building. The first appliance arrived on scene at 18.37 hours and firefighting operations began at approximately 18:39 p.m. Four jets working from an open water source were used to extinguish the fire.
The report informed that the eastern side of the top floor was occupied by 49-year-old Maxine Murray and 32-year-old Graymond Douglas. The western side of the top floor was occupied by Aliza Cummings and her daughter. The eastern side of the first floor was occupied by 39-year-old Renuka Muka, 35-year-old Kelvin Reddy, and a 12-year-old child. The ground floor was occupied by a supermarket and general store.
According to the GFS, by the time the fire was extinguished, the top floor and its contents were destroyed. The first floor was severely damaged, and the ground floor suffered water damage due to firefighting operations, displacing all occupants of the building.
The Fire Department continues to urge citizens to put measures in place to avoid the devastation caused by fires. As such it advised that cooking should not be left unattended, and children should be kept away from the kitchen or cooking area. Children should be educated on the seriousness of fires and what to do in the event of fire-related emergencies.
