Fire caused by leaking gas cylinder leaves 7 homeless

One day after a fire had ripped through a three-storey building at Non-Pareil, East Coast Demerara, the Guyana Fire Service have (GFS) reported that it was started by a leaking gas cylinder.
Unfortunately, that fire — at Lot 360 Section B, Non-Pareil, ECD — has left at least seven persons making alternative living arrangements.
Following reports of the fire, tenders from the Melanie, Campbellville and Alberttown Fire Stations were dispatched to the area. But
despite the valiant efforts of the firefighters, the fire caused significant damage to the structure. The top floor and its contents were completely destroyed, while the first floor suffered severe damage. Additionally, the firefighting operation resulted in water damage to the ground floor.
Those affected by the fire include Maxine Murray, Graymond Douglas, Aliza Cummings and her daughter on the top floor, and Renuka Muka, Kelvin Reddy and a twelve-year-old child on the first floor. The ground floor housed a supermarket and general store.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the GFS revealed that the fire was caused by flammable vapours released by a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder which, according to the GFS, had come into contact with open flames from a lit gas stove, triggering a rapid spread of the fire throughout the upper and lower storeys of the building.
In light of the escalating number of fires impacting homes and businesses, the Guyana Fire Service are again emphasising the importance of caution and preventive measures. They advise against leaving cooking unattended, and urge parents to keep children away from the kitchen or cooking area.
Educating children about fire safety and appropriate responses in fire-related emergencies is crucial, they inform; and individuals under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or those who smoke, should avoid using stoves and ovens.
The Guyana Fire Service recommend installing smoke detectors, fire alarms and fire extinguishers in buildings, and keeping buckets of sand to promptly suppress fires in their early stages. Moreover, homeowners are urged to establish evacuation plans and ensure clear exit paths for use during fire emergencies. (G-9)