Comfort Sleep fire…Inferno caused by chemical reaction

Comfort Sleep fire…Inferno caused by chemical reaction – Fire Chief

Nov 08, 2013 News

By Javone Vickerie
The Guyana Fire Service in concluding its investigation into the devastating blaze which destroyed two storage bonds in Industrial Site, Eccles last month has determined that the inferno was caused by a chemical reaction.
According to Fire Chief Marlon Gentle, the service has ascertained that the fire erupted when one of the containers which contained a highly flammable substance which is used to manufacture foam had a leakage.
“This reaction occurred because one of the cylinders had a seepage and the chemical got into contact with the moisture of the environment. While all of this was happening, a chemical reaction erupted which gave off heat, and as such, one of the cylinders combusted,” Gentle explained.

This is what was left of the storage bond after the fire last month

He added that because all of the containers were stored together, the flames quickly spread throughout the bond creating an inferno.
“I will reiterate that business owners of these storage bonds have the responsibility to store these substances under the manufacturers’ recommended temperature. They must also know when to detect fires in their early stages,” Gentle said.
The Fire Chief urged business operatives to take more consideration in fire safety for their businesses rather than focusing on heavy security.
“This is not the first time for the year that we had a bond destroyed by fire, but most times when we arrive on the scene of these conflagrations, the security of the premises is so heavy that it takes us extra time to save or contain the blaze and save nearby homes,” Gentle said.
Firefighters last Wednesday risked their lives to fight the blaze which destroyed the stock bond of the Comfort Sleep Company and gutted another bond belonging to Payless Variety Store. The fire broke out just after 19:00hrs.