178 persons made homeless this year because of fires
Electricity theft cited as factor
Stabroek News
May 17, 2003
Chief Fire Officer Carlyle Washington has said that for this year so far there have been 615 fires with 53 buildings being completely destroyed and eight severely damaged while 178 persons have become homeless as a result.
According to a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA), Washington disclosed that the main factors causing these fires are children being left unprotected at home and the stealing of electricity.
Washington, GINA reported, also noted that the illegal connection of electricity is a common practice by consumers, and although it might seem to be a very cheap way of getting power, it is very dangerous.
He stressed that the surge of electrical power resulted in some of the fires and he is therefore urging guilty parties to cease the illegal practice.
GINA noted too that 419 persons were made homeless last year because of fires. And the Chief Fire Officer expressed alarm that the numbers of homeless persons are increasing rapidly because of fires.
He advised that if people were more careful, there would be fewer fires.
