Noting the concerns expressed by the business owners and residents of Bush Lot who were affected by Monday’s fire, which claimed the life of a businessman and gutted several businesses, the Guyana Fire Service in a second statement on the tragedy admitted that issues with some of the fire hoses and delays in accessing an open water source hindered the Fire Service’s ability to effectively contain the blaze and protect the businesses and properties that have been impacted.
In a statement this afternoon, the Fire Service noted that while there are two fire hydrants in the area, only one was accessible. The other valves for the other hydrant were completely covered, hindering its accessibility.
The Fire Service also noted that with a power outage in the area at the time, which affected the water company, the water pressure from the one working hydrant was insufficient.
While admitting to some issues, the Fire Service refuted claims of the Fire tenders arriving late. It noted that the first fire tender arrived at the scene within ten minutes of the first emergency call. The other two tenders, which were sourced from New Amsterdam and Mahaica, arrived more than one hour after that initial call.
It was further explained that owing to the magnitude of the blaze, when firefighters arrived at the scene, they opted to access a nearby open water source to facilitate continuous firefighting.
A relay system was set up between the tenders using light pumps, which accessed water from a nearby trench.
The Fire Service said its response involved three water tenders and an ambulance, along with sixteen firefighters and three Emergency Medical Technicians.
It was noted that a thorough review of the operations along with the equipment used, and operational protocols is being carried out.
“We understand and regret the significant impact this fire has had on the Bush Lot community. We renew our call for citizens to equip their homes and businesses with smoke detectors, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, fire balls and to consider fire insurance”, the Fire Service noted.
The statement from the Guyana Fire Service came hours after Opposition Member of Parliament for the Region Five community, Vinceroy Jordan expressed concern about the Fire Service’s response to the blaze that gutted a number of buildings, leaving several businesses completely demolished.
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