The fire at Drysdale Street, Charlestown, that claimed the lives of a father and two children last Friday was electrical in origin, Fire Chief Gregory Wickham told Stabroek News yesterday..
The burnt remains of 40 year-old Michael Richards and his daughter Somaya Richards, 6, and son Supreme Richards, 4, were removed from the scene.
The structure involv-ed was a two-storey wooden and concrete building which was severely damaged by the time the fire was extinguished.
According to the Guyana Fire Service, three water tenders, one water carrier, two am-bulances and a hydrau-lic platform from the Central Fire Station, Alberttown, Campbell-ville, West Ruimveldt, and Fire Service Headquarters, were dispatched to the location. They arrived at the scene at 6:48 am and began firefighting operations immediately.
In the wake of the fire, the GFS is urging citizens to exercise caution and follow safety measures to avoid house fires. It also advised that homes should be equipped with fire prevention and firefighting devices such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or buckets of sand.
Citizens were also urged to desist from using illegal electrical connections which pose many hazards in the home and are a leading cause of electrical fires.
Additionally, while grillwork provides homes and businesses with security, it is advised that there be an evacuation plan in place or a clear form of exit to be used in the event of a fire or emergency.
