Bush Lot deadly blaze: Accessibility of water in area thwarted efforts by firefighters – GFS

In light of the devasting fire at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice (WCB) on Monday which resulted in the death of Carl Rajendra Persaud, the Guyana Fire Service stated that their efforts to put out the blaze were thwarted by the accessibility of water in the area.
The GFS stated that there were two fire hydrants in the area, however only one was accessible due to an earth blockage. “While there are two fire hydrants in the area, only one was accessible due to earth blockage of the underground valves. The Guyana Fire Service must inspect and ensure the operability of fire hydrants, and we accept full responsibility for the inaccessible hydrant.”
In addition, a release issued on Thursday stated that coupled with the non-functional hydrant, there was a power outage within the community and insufficient water pressure was experienced by firefighters.
Further, the release clarified the response efforts.
“The report was received at 18:03h, and the first tender from Onverwagt arrived at 18:10h. The second tender from New Amsterdam arrived at 19:01h, and the third tender from Mahaica) arrived at 19:21h,” the release detailed.
On this note, the GFS confirmed that all three responding tenders had water in their tanks upon arrival.
“Three water tenders and an ambulance, along with sixteen firefighters and three Emergency Medical Technicians, were engaged in the firefighting operation and response,” the GFS stated.
Guyana Times understands that amidst challenges faced by the team, the GPF successfully contained and extinguished the blaze.
“Despite the arduous nature of the task, the GFS successfully managed to contain and extinguish the blaze, limiting the destruction to three buildings and preventing a potentially catastrophic spread.”
Furthermore, the GFS revealed an unfortunate situation faced by their team in which two people were rushed to medical services due to the fire.
“One civilian and one fire personnel were transported to the Fort Wellington Regional Hospital by the GFS’s Emergency Medical Technicians for treatment of fainting and lower back pain, respectively.”
The GFS emphasized that they conduct After-Action Reports for each incident to improve their service. They are currently reviewing the Bush Lot fire, focusing on equipment, operational protocols, and personnel training.
“This includes continuous repair of damaged hoses, procurement of new hoses and other critical firefighting equipment, as well as enhanced training for our personnel,” the release highlighted.
It was reported that the fire started at about 17:45h Monday in the heart of the commercial area at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, Region Five. Carl Rajendra Persaud, who would have celebrated his 55th birthday one day after the blaze perished.
The fire reportedly stated in the upper flat of a two-storey building that was occupied by Persaud who lived alone. Eyewitnesses recalled seeing the now dead man waving through the window after which the building was consumed by flames. The lower flat housed the Nalico & Nafico Insurance office.
The fire then spread to the east and destroyed a building that housed six businesses.
The flames also crossed over to the west, where two persons lived in the upper flat, and a clothing store occupied the lower flat.
The eight businesses housed in the three buildings were a branch of an insurance company, a jewellery store, a pharmacy, a bicycle store, a clothing boutique, a hairdressing salon, a cosmetics store and a cell phone shop.