…GPL slammed for inaction to reports of faulty transformer
A family of five is now homeless after their residence at Lot 31 La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara went up in flames on Sunday morning.
The La Jalousie home engulfed in flames
The fire was reportedly caused by a faulty transformer that had been located in close proximity to the now gutted building. This newspaper was told that at about 10:00hrs on Sunday, sparks were seen emanating from a nearby electric pole, and a massive inferno quickly erupted.
Sixty-one-year-old Parbattie Baldeo and her two grandchildren were then at home, but were forced to abandon the burning house, leaving behind all of their belongings to perish.
Baldeo’s son, Dooknauth Kalicharran, and his wife, Radika Prem, were the other occupants of the now destroyed home.
The remains of the gutted La Jalousie home
Speaking to media operatives, Kalicharran indicated that their losses amount to a value of about $30 million.
Guyana Times, meanwhile, understands that several reports had been filed at the Guyana Power and Light entity (GPL) regarding a faulty transformer which had been severely leaking for some months now.
Another La Jalousie family was just last month rendered homeless by the similar circumstance of GPL allegedly not responding to complaints in a timely manner. Despite numerous reports to GPL, a mother of two was forced to gather her children and evacuate their burning home after fire quickly spread throughout the building at Lot 12, La Jalousie, WCD.
This was after the house was allegedly set alight by sparks emanating from faulty electric wires attached to the building.
GPL has again come in for much criticism given that in both of these cases persons have lamented that action from the electricity company could have averted the disaster which had led to the two families being left homeless. Efforts to contract personnel from GPL on the issue have proven futile.
