The fires have left 178 persons homeless. Last year, fire rendered 419 persons homeless.

Children caused most of the fires. In many cases, parents leave their children home alone and they tend to light fires with matches, the GFS said.

Another major cause of fires is theft of electricity, the GFS said. Illegal connection of electricity is a common practice by consumers, Fire Chief (ag) Carlyle Washington, said. He pointed out that thought it might seem to be a very cheap way of getting electricity, it is very dangerous. He stressed that the upsurge of electrical power resulted in some of the fires and has called on the guilty parties to cease the illegal activities.