Fire Chief implores safe use of electricity – 17% increase in electrical fires recorded

Georgetown, GINA, June 23, 2016

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) is encouraging safer use of electricity after it  recorded a 17 percent increase in external electrical fires.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that thus far for the year, 135 external electrical fires have been recorded compared to 115 for the same period last year.

“We’re still at the stage where persons are using drop cords or two or three households sharing the same power which is somewhat illegal also,” Gentle pointed out. The Fire Chief further explained that many of these types of fires are occurring in newly developed communities such as Parfait Harmonie, Diamond, and in the Cummings Lodge area

Gentle noted that damage to buildings is not necessarily the cause of these fires. Instead, these unsafe uses of electricity could lead to electrocution and other destruction.

The Fire Chief encouraged the safe use of electricity. “If you need to use electricity use it correctly, use it properly. Have a hired certified electrician do your electrical installations,” Gentle implored.

Meanwhile, the GFS has recorded a decline in malicious fires and damage to buildings. Gentle stated that there is a six percent decrease in malicious setting of fires and 10 percent decrease in buildings being affected by fires.

However, the Fire Service has recorded an increase in fire calls for this year. Gentle said that there were 1,405 ‘fire calls’ but noted that “most of these were due to that long dry spell that we had.”

The Fire Service has also recorded increased hoax calls. Gentle pointed out that apprehending those who make such calls is difficult because of the use of cell phones. Falsely reporting a fire is a criminal offence.