Within recent weeks there has been a noticeable increase in reports of fires in Georgetown and the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara.

The spate of fires is of concern to the Guyana Fire Service, which has launched various investigations.

In an invited comment, Fire Prevention Officer, Andrew Holder, explained to News Source that between late 2016 and February 2017, the Fire Service has been able to gather information which points to the fire being set by persons as a way of dealing with domestic disputes.

“We have a number of fires that we have seen that were set deliberately, but in light of recent statistics, I want to caution people against such actions, let them find other ways to settle disputes. Arson is punishable by law’.

The Fire Prevention Officer is reminded that arson carries a severe penalty in the criminal system including jail time.

Under Chapter 08:01 of the Constitution, Criminal Offences, “Everyone who unlawfully and maliciously sets fire to any dwelling-house, any person being therein, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life”.

The Guyana Fire Service, is the department that determines what caused a fire whether it has been deliberately set or not and it is the Police that determines the charges that should be laid in the matter.

For the month of February, the Fire Service has found itself responding to emergency fire call every day.There have been a number of cases that were uncovered with children being the cause for the blaze.

Just recently, over 400 Fire Hydrants around Georgetown were rehabilitated by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) as a means of ensuring the Fire Service is in a position to get work done. (Handel Duncan)

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