In December 2023, the local Government officials in Linden and Region 10 called for a fire station to be built in Wismar. The current Guyana Fire Service Station #11 is located in the Constabulary Compound, Parson Road, Mc Kenzie, Linden.
Given the terrain of the communities at Wismar and other neighbouring areas, and the restrictions of the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge, it takes some time for the Service officers to offer relief to the other heavily inhabited parts of the town.
The representatives of the Regional Democratic Council and Municipality pressed the need for an additional Fire Service Unit on Wismar side of the Demerara River, as they expressed there are difficulties in covering this section of the town.
Previously, in 2022, Region Ten’ Fire Commander, Courtney Springer, announced that the Guyana Fire Service is planning to build a Fire Station in Wismar. He revealed that at that time, they were procuring the land, and were waiting for the approval of funds to commence the building of the facility.
Although land has been identified and secured for the building of the much-needed station, no construction has begun. Residents and officials have appealed to the Ministry of Home Affairs to budget for and begin the construction of the additional Fire Station.
On Saturday, a house at Andyville Housing Scheme was destroyed by a Fire of unknown origin, leaving two homeless. The Guyana Fire Service revealed in a statement that they received the alert of the fire at 11:49hrs, and the firefights arrived at 12:37hrs with Water Tender #99 and Water Carrier #12.
The flat wooden and concrete building that was occupied by 50-year-old Colin Bruce and 40-year-old Sonita Peters was destroyed, along with its contents.
At the scene, the firefighting personnel faced assault from the residents and were allegedly attacked with bricks, sticks and cutlasses. It is believed that the residents’ attack was due to the length of time taken for the Service to arrive at the scene.
In a statement, the Guyana Fire Service wrote that “Such actions are strongly condemned, and the matter has been reported to the police.”
The Fire Service further stated that blame for negligence or consequences of fires should not be placed on the ranks.