Illegal electrical connection causes fire at Bourda Market

…stall destroyed; others damaged

At least one stall was completely gutted and two others sustained severe damages due to a fire that erupted at the Bourda Market on Monday. The fire started at about 07:40h at Bourda and Charlotte Streets, Georgetown.
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) upon receiving the report dispatched water tenders along with their respective crews from the Central, Alberttown, and Campbellville Fire Stations to the area.
Upon arriving at the scene, they observed a one-flat wooden stall owned by Norlana Brown and occupied as a cosmetology stall, on fire. As a result of the fire, the stall and its contents were completely destroyed.

In addition, stall 13A, owned by Vanessa Peters and also occupied as a cosmetology stall, was affected by radiated heat from the building of origin, resulting in the southern external wall being severely damaged and 3.5m of PVC ceiling being completely destroyed.
Another stall, owned by Samantha Glasgow and occupied as Samantha’s Shoe Box and Clothing Store, was also affected by radiated heat, resulting in the northern external wall being severely damaged and one solar panel, one CCTV circuit camera, and an AC unit being completely destroyed.
According to the GFS, the fire started as a result of illegal connections using faulty electrical wires to power several stalls thus causing overloading and overheating. At the scene on Monday, several stall owners close by stated that they were not too sure how the fire started but initially accused a vagrant who normally sleeps in the area of setting the place on fire.

They had reported that after the fire started, the Fire Station was contacted, and due to their quick response, several other vending stalls were saved. They thanked the response by the firefighters who sprang into action and contained the blaze to that one area.
Nevertheless, the Guyana Fire Service continues to warn against the use of illegal connections for electricity.
“An illegal electricity connection is an unlawful connection to the electrical installation in an effort to pay less (or simply not pay) for the energy consumed. It poses a significant danger to both the individuals working on the installations and to all residents of the area,” the GFS added.
It further stated that the chances of fire and electrical overloads are increased, which can cause serious damage to households and businesses. An electrical overload occurs when too much current passes through an electric circuit. The wires heat and can melt, with the risk of starting a fire.
“Slack connections could be either external or internal and occur when the connection is not electro-mechanically sound, thus resulting in electrical arcing that leads to fire.”
Citizens are asked to desist from using illegal electricity connections and are reminded to remain vigilant and to equip their homes and businesses with fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and smoke detectors.