Fire Chief clears the air on Lombard Street fire
Guyana Chronicle
November 16, 2003
FIRE Chief Carlyle Washington said that the rapid spread of the fire that gutted three businesses on Lombard and Hadfield Streets resulted from several factors, one being combustibles stored in the buildings.
Mr. Washington told the Government Information Agency (GINA), that oils, tyres and haberdashery, as well as the North Eastern wind were contributory factors to the rapid spread of the fire.
He also pointed out that the Auto Supplies building which houses Royal Castle, was constructed from "pitch-pine", a wood which produces a type of oil when heated.
Washington noted that some members of the public are of the opinion that his fire fighters could have saved part of the building, but he noted that the fire started from within Royal Castle.
However, it would have been catastrophic if the fire fighters had doused the fire immediately after it had started because of the live electrical wires. Many persons would have been electrocuted, he pointed out.
"We all know that water is a conductor of electricity," he added.
He admitted there was a shortage of water but said that the determination of his fire fighters should be commended. Three fire tenders were at the scene, one each from Headquarters, Ruimveldt and Campbellville.
When the water from the tenders and a Land Rover with 2000 gallon from the L.B.I Estate, were exhausted, the Land Rover headed to the South Road canal to pump water. The Fire Chief noted that water pressure was low and that was the reason there was not sufficient water in the hydrants.
Realising that other measures had to be taken to contain the fire, fire fighters then went to the Georgetown Stelling to source water from the Demerara River.
Simultaneously, a vehicle was dispatched to the Shelterbelt to have the water pressure increase to the fire area.
Washington explained that the telephone system in the area was also disrupted. Therefore, it was difficult to contact the Shelterbelt.
A John Fernandes container truck crashed into a lantern post with a transformer, near to Mohamed's Enterprise on Lombard Street, sparking an electrical fire, which destroyed the Auto Supplies, Royal Castle and Mohamed's Enterprise business premises and left more than 150 persons without jobs. Damage is estimated to be more than $1B.