The Guyana Fire Service has announced that 12 persons were trained today and equipped with fire-fighting equipment to fight fires on the Essequibo Island of Wakenaam.
This move followed an early morning fire on the island that completely destroyed the home of a 54-year-old businessman, Anil Rambarran. Fire response from the Essequibo Coast and West Demerara were deployed to the island to put out the blaze.
As a result, the Fire Service has immediately commenced fire-fighting training of persons in Wakenaam. The training will continue on March 7, 2022. The initiative will be extended to Leguan and other islands in the near future.
In a statement to the media, the GFS said a call was received at around 03:30h today, reporting the fire at the Lot 17 Belle Plaine, Wakenaam, Essequibo River two-storey property. The top floor of the building was served as Rambarran and his wife’s living quarters while the bottom floor was operated as a general store.
As a result of the fire, the entire building and its contents were destroyed. It was reported that Rambarran had to rushed to the hospital after his blood pressure reportedly went up.
Firefighters from the Anna Regina and Leonora Fire Stations were immediately dispatched to the location in response to the report.
Two portable pumps working from a nearby trench along with a pipe from a Mandir were used by firefighters and residents to extinguish the blaze.
While the fire is suspected to have been electrical in origin, investigations are underway to ascertain what caused it.
The Guyana Fire Service has since applauded residents of Wakenaam for their swift action which resulted in the containment of the fire.
“Gratitude is also extended to the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force and Community Policing Group for lending support and assisting in transporting ranks and other officials to the island,” the GFS said in the missive.
Meanwhile, following the fire, a high-level team visited the family. The team was led by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and included Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Deodat Indar; Chief Fire Officer (ag), Gregory Wickham; Region Three (Essequibo Island-West Demerara) Chairman, Inshan Ayube; Deputy Chairman of Region Three, Omesh Satyanand; Deputy Police Commissioner ‘Operation’, Clifton Hicken; Police Commander Region Three, Errol Watts; Regional Detective Officer, ASP Grant, and several other ranks visited the island where they met with the victims and residents.
