Residents at the scene after the fire was contained
A fire of unknown origin completely gutted the home of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) member Verena Rasheed on Thursday evening.
Based on reports received, the fire started about 19:30h in the upper flat of the two-storey wooden and concrete building located at Queenstown, Essequibo Coast.
Guyana Times understands the Councillor is currently overseas but her husband Adam Rasheed, and one of her sons, Javid Rasheed, were occupying the house. The duo were reportedly out and upon returning home, they observed smoke emanating from the ceiling of the building.
Upon seeing this, they reportedly panicked and raised an alarm. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was contacted and arrived at the scene and sprang into action almost immediately. However, despite their efforts, the house was completely gutted.
The aftermath of the fire
There was no time to salvage any household items owing to the intensity of the blaze and its rapid spread, with the house being engulfed within minutes.
It is suspected that the fire might have been electrical in origin, but this has to be confirmed by the Fire Service. There were no reports of injuries.
The family also owns the Jaz Lumberyard and Supplies, but according to reports, the firefighters were able to contain the blaze, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings. An investigation is underway.
Just last week, a fire devasted a three-storey building at Lot 33 Lyng Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, leaving at least 15 homeless. Days after the fire, on Friday, the Fire Service stated that the blaze had been caused by a slack connection to electrical points which caused overheating. In a statement following its investigation, the GFS said this resulted in a breakdown of the installation, leading to arcing and sparking and the subsequent ignition of nearby combustible materials.
Firefighters, fire trucks, water carriers, and ambulances from the Central, West Ruimveldt, Alberttown, Campbellville, and Eccles Fire Stations were all part of the operation to contain and extinguish the blaze and to provide assistance to anyone who suffered injuries as a result.
By the time the fire was extinguished, the building and its contents were destroyed. Also affected by the fire was a building located at Lot 34 Howes Street, Charlestown, which suffered severe damage to a section of the southern internal wall. Several appliances within the home including a television set, a stereo set, and a refrigerator were also badly damaged. Other items, including another TV and a fan, and several windows and walls were slightly scorched.
Two additional buildings, a motor car and a motorcycle were also damaged as a result of radiated heat.
To prevent electrical fires, the Fire Service is urging persons to not overload outlets, to refrain from using illegal connections, to desist from putting electrical wires over curtains, underneath rugs or pinning them behind furniture and to plug heat-generating appliances directly into an outlet, not into a power strip or extension cord.
