Fire safety inspections launched at school dorms, hostels nationwide
The Mahdia Secondary School female dormitory fire in which 20 children died
In its ongoing commitment to enhance fire safety measures, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has embarked on a comprehensive inspection campaign targeting school dormitories and hostels countrywide.
GFS Public Relations Officer Silyne Griffith told the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Wednesday that the dorms and hostels were also equipped with the necessary fire safety equipment.
This exercise comes on the heels of the deadly fire at the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory, that claimed the lives of 20 persons.
To date, inspections were conducted at locations including the University of Guyana, President’s College, Dennis Irvine Hall of Residence, as well as the Mahaicony, Paramakatoi and Anna Regina dormitories, Essequibo Technical Institute, Aurora Secondary, Charity Secondary, Three Miles Secondary, and the Bartica Secondary School dormitories.
Hostels including those at Supenaam, Suddie, Anna Regina, and Charity, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) were also inspected.
Similar exercises will be conducted at other facilities to ensure there are fire prevention equipment present.
The damaged Karasabai Hostel
These inspections come on the heels of two fires in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
The Mahdia school’s dormitory, which housed students from the communities of Karisparu, El Paso, Micobie and Chenapao, Region Eight, was set ablaze and 20 children died.
About two weeks later, the St Angela’s Girls Hostel at Karasabai, Region Nine was partially destroyed after four male students set it on fire. All the occupants of the building escaped unhurt.
The GFS has also conducted several outreaches at various markets to educate persons on fire safety and prevention. Several outreaches were conducted at the Kitty, Mahaica, and Mon Repos Markets to date.
On Saturday last, more than 500 Mon Repos residents benefited from this public awareness programme.
In addition, 136 individuals received free blood pressure and blood sugar testing, that was administered by the Service’s Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) on the ground at the Mon Repos Market.
Persons also had the opportunity to interact with senior officers, including Chief Fire Officer (ag) Gregory Wickham, to learn about fire safety.
“The Guyana Fire Service will continue to conduct outreaches at markets as we strive to reach as many citizens as possible, both young and old, and educate everyone about the dangers of fires, thus preventing them from happening,” the GFS said.
