The Guyana Fire Service received a call at 15:12 p.m. on January 2, 2023, and was alerted to a fire at Lot 7C River View, Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Water tenders from the Central, West Ruimveldt, and Alberttown Fire Stations were immediately dispatched to the location.

The structure involved was a two-storey wooden and concrete building owned by Gavin Joseph, who occupied the building along with eleven (11) others.

Despite firefighters’ best efforts, the building and its contents were destroyed, leaving twelve (12) persons without a home.

Following investigations, it was discovered that the fire was the result of a child left unattended playing with matches, whose flames came into contact with a chair cushion and ignited.

Three other buildings were also affected by the inferno, with the first one, located at Lot 6 River View, suffering severe damage to the southern external walls and a quantity of louvre panes.

Additionally, three (3) solar lights, one (1) camera, four (4) sash windows, ten (10) meters of roof rafters, fifty (50) drink cases, and thirty (30) water bottles were destroyed at another building located at Lot 8 River View, Ruimveldt.

Also affected was a two-story wooden and concrete building located at Lot 4529 River View, where five (5) sash windows, sixteen (16) meters of PVC guttering, one (1) antenna, and two (2) water tanks were severely damaged, while one (1) pressure tank and one (1) water pump were slightly damaged.

Due to the magnitude of the fire, Sub-Officer Adams, who is attached to the Central Fire Station, was injured during firefighting.

Three jets working from tank supply were used to extinguish the fire.

The Guyana Fire Service has issued many warnings and advisories about the dangers of fires.

Citizens are once again reminded to exercise caution and to ensure children understand the seriousness of playing with matches and other fire starters in order to avoid these tragedies and preserve life and property.