Latest update March 21st, 2025 7:03 AM
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Bent Street fire victims still in shock
Yvonne Guillians
The Guillians, whose home was destroyed by fire believed to be electrical in origin, last Wednesday, are now “scattered” about coastal Guyana. And 17 persons are now left homeless instead of the 15 previously reported.
According to the family, since Guyana Power and Light disconnected the electricity they have not heard from the company about assistances as to how they will assist them in their living situation for the time.
The 73-year-old homeowner, Yvonne Guillians, said that she is still in shock following Wednesday’s fire.
An occupant of the home told this publication that the house is insured. However, none of the items destroyed were so covered. According to the family, everything that was in the upstairs of the house was burnt while the water used to put an end to the fire destroyed all the things downstairs.
However, the house that was attached to the destroyed structure contains some items and these are in “reasonable” condition.
According to one of the homeless, a trader by profession, she had a large sum of money in the house.
“All our identification, land paper, books, cloths… everything just gone” said another occupant of the home, with tears in her eyes. “I do not know how to even think of starting over.”
On Thursday evening, at the scene of what remains of the two storey house, some occupants of the home were still cleaning while others stood on the road in disbelief of what had occurred the day before.
The Guillians Family now says that it appreciates any contributions from organizations and public spirited persons who wish to assist in the unfortunate situation.
On Wednesday last, around 16:30 an inferno believed to be electric in origin destroyed the Guillians’ Lot 61 Bent Street East ½ Bent Street Wortmanville home.
The top flat was burnt in its entirety while the bottom was partially saved.
According to neighbours the fire began at an electrical meter. They further said that while the fire was at an early stage, they noticed the sparking of an electric wire “and after that it just blaze through”.
The neighbours said that all day they were having an annoying amount of “blackout” which is believed to have been a contributing factor to the fire. The blaze lasted for approximately two and a half hours.
Officials from the Guyana Fire Service revealed that the fire is most likely electrical in origin. However, they stated that further information was not available and an investigation is underway.
Yesterday, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) noted that if the reports in the press is true about sparking electrical wires then there is the strong indication that there were problems in the wiring of the home.
The official was speaking during a press conference at GPL Kingston office.
According to Dindyal, sparking wires and blinking lights are all classical cases of something that needs immediate attention to in the home.
He warned that homeowners have to ensure that their building wiring is checked periodically with GPL addressing this very issue several times in the past.
Very shortly, the entity will be launching its educational drive for the Christmas season for families to take precautions especially with drop-cords and other fixtures.
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