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Too many fires
Dear Editor,
I am increasingly concerned about the number of fire-related incidents being reported across Guyana in 2026. Homes, businesses and even electrical infrastructure have been affected by fires, raising important questions about whether enough is being done to prevent these incidents before they occur. While fires can happen for many different reasons, the frequency and consequences of these incidents should encourage us to take a closer look at fire prevention, electrical safety, building standards and public awareness
One area that deserves greater attention is the condition of electrical systems in homes and businesses. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS), in collaboration with the Government Electrical Inspectorate (GEI), advises homeowners to have a licensed electrician comprehensively review and inspect their home’s electrical system at least every five to ten years. I have also seen outdated ceramic rewirable fuse boards still being used, despite the significant fire and electrical-shock hazards they can present in modern homes because they lack many of the safety features found in newer electrical protection systems. Greater public awareness and enforcement surrounding electrical inspections could therefore play an important role in reducing preventable fires.
We must also recognise the challenges faced by poorer households and communities. Some families continue to rely on kerosene stoves and lanterns, which can become extremely dangerous when used improperly or placed too close to combustible materials. Poverty should never mean that a household has to live without basic fire-safety education or access to safer alternatives. Government agencies, community organisations and the private sector could work together to provide targeted fire-prevention education and practical assistance to vulnerable households.
Another concern is the close proximity of some buildings, particularly in densely populated communities. When structures are constructed too closely together, a fire that begins in one property can rapidly spread to neighbouring buildings, potentially leaving several families and businesses facing devastating losses. Proper building separation, safe electrical installations, accessible roads for emergency vehicles, fire-resistant materials and effective enforcement of building and fire-safety requirements must therefore be treated as essential components of national development.
We also cannot overlook children and the dangers associated with playing with fire. What may begin as innocent curiosity or a game can quickly become a tragedy. Parents, guardians, schools and communities have an important role to play in teaching children about the dangers of matches, lighters, candles and other sources of ignition. Fire-safety education should begin at an early age and should be reinforced through schools and community programmes so that children understand that fire is not a toy.
There is also the serious issue of suspected arson. Where authorities have reason to believe that a fire may have been deliberately started, such cases should be thoroughly investigated and appropriate action taken where evidence supports criminal charges. Deliberately setting a fire can endanger not only the intended property but also neighbouring families, emergency responders, businesses and entire communities. The public also deserves confidence that suspicious fires are properly investigated and that those responsible, where identified and proven, are held accountable.
Guyana therefore needs to continue strengthening its approach to fire prevention rather than focusing primarily on responding after a disaster has occurred. Regular electrical inspections, stronger enforcement of building and fire codes, public education, safer alternatives for vulnerable households, child-focused fire-safety programmes and thorough investigations of suspicious fires can all contribute to reducing the risks. As Guyana continues to develop and communities become increasingly populated, fire safety must remain part of our national development conversation. Prevention, preparedness and enforcement can save lives, protect livelihoods and reduce the enormous economic losses that follow major fires
Sincerely,
Mr. Blane R Bunbury
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