Firefighters save apartment building from going up in flames

An apartment building at Friendship Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was saved by firefighters on Friday after flames were seen emanating from one of the apartments.
The fire, according to a release issued by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), was started by a child playing with a cigarette lighter.

As a result of the quick response from fire tenders from Diamond, EBD, the building sustained minimal damage. According to reports, the GFS received a report of the fire at about 11:02h and the tender and a team of firefighters were dispatched to the area.
Upon their arrival, they observed a mattress on fire in one of the apartments and without hesitation, dowsed the flames. The two-storey wooden and concrete structure is owned by 51-year-old Yonette Wiltshire.
Nevertheless, one bunk bed, two foam mattresses, one barrel and one electrical fan were damaged by the blaze.
The Guyana Fire Service vehemently advised the public to exercise caution and to follow safety measures to avoid fires in the home. As a means of protecting homes from going in flames, the Fire Service advised that houses be equipped with fire prevention and firefighting devices such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
Further, the GFS stated that children should be educated on the dangers of playing with matches and lighters. In fact, the Fire Service stated that children should not be left unattended.