At 11:02 hours yesterday the Guyana Fire Service received a call and was alerted to a fire at Lot 34 Friendship Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

Water Tender #95 and crew from the Diamond Fire Station was immediately dispatched to the location.

The structure involved was a two storey wooden and concrete building owned by 51-year-old Yonette Wiltshire which she occupies along with her nine relatives.

Swift action by firefighters resulted in minimal damage to the entire building and a quick extinction of the fire.

An apartment on the ground floor’s north-eastern section, where the fire originated, was severely damaged as a result of the fire, along with its contents.

The supposed cause of the fire is a child playing with a cigarette lighter which naked flames came into contact with a mattress and ignited.

Two jets working from light pump #82 using an open water source were used to extinguish the fire.

The Guyana Fire Service continues to advise citizens to exercise caution and to follow safety measures to avoid fires in the home.

Additionally, children should be educated on the dangers of fire starters (matches, lighters) and warned about their use.

Do not leave children unattended or at home without adult supervision.

Keep children away from the cooking area and ensure matches and lighters are out of reach of children at all times.

Equip your homes with fire prevention and firefighting devices such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.