Two men are nursing burns about their bodies after a gas cylinder exploded on board their fishing vessel at Helena in the Mahaica River, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Thursday.
The two victims who were burnt after the explosion
The injured men are 42-year-old Phillip Edmonds and 29-year-old Derrick Balmickery, both of Helena Village, Mahaica.
Based on information received, at about 16:45h, the duo and others had just returned from a fishing expedition at sea when one of the crew members lit a stove to prepare a meal and the gas cylinder exploded, thereby causing the cabin to catch afire.
The two outboard engines that were destroyed in the fire
Police have said that Edmonds and Balmickery sustained minor burns to their lower and upper bodies from the explosion. They were both rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, where they were treated. Edmonds was sent away, while Balmickery was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he has been admitted.
His condition is regarded as stable.
The Guyana Fire Service, in a release to the media, pointed out that they received the report of a fire at 18:10h on Thursday evening at New Bridge, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara. In response, a fire tender from the Mahaica Fire Station rushed to the scene, where firefighters observed a wooden fishing boat on fire.
Firefighters, the release added, sprang into action, and were able to extinguish the blaze by using an open water source.
The fishing vessel after the fire
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was as a result of a lighted stove left unattended, which ignited nearby combustible materials and spread to the entire boat,” the Guyana Fire Service added.
Only recently, 60-year-old Seepersaud Persaud of River’s Town, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Mark Mangal and 29-year-old Damon Dias, a sailor of Sarah Johanna, EBD, were killed after a fuel vessel exploded at a wharf at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
It was reported that a loud explosion was heard from the vessel, and this was followed by the emanation of black smoke, and shortly after, flames were seen on the bow of the vessel. The fire was extinguished, and it was then that the bodies of the three men were found lying motionless.
Investigations proved that the explosion came from the engine room. A partially burnt-out hose that was connected to the fuel pump, along with the remains of a yellow plastic bottle nearby, was found in the engine room. (G10)
