A fire of unknown origin on Wednesday destroyed a two-storey wooden and concrete building owned by 44-year-old, Glen Valentine, rendering its occupants, Valentine and Melissa Charles, homeless.
The building was situated at Lot 76 Sixth Field, Plantation Mocha, East Bank Demerara.
The Guyana Fire Service [GFS] said that they were alerted about the fire at 1:22 pm and the Eccles and West Ruimveldt fire stations responded with Carrier #14 and Land Rover #07. The GFS said fire-fighters managed to contain the fire from spreading and eventually extinguished it, using one jet working from light pump #112 and pumping from the tank supply. However, despite these efforts, the building and its contents were completely destroyed. The cause of the fire is currently unknown and is being investigated by the Fire Prevention Department.
GFS says it continues to encourage citizens to employ the following simple domestic fire safety measures when away from their homes: Ensure all electrical appliances not in use are unplugged; ensure the gas or electric stove is turned off and ensure all combustible materials are in a well-ventilated storage area, away from potential sources of ignition.
