Preliminary investigation indicates faulty connection caused deadly Hydronie fire

A preliminary investigation into the deadly fire at Lot 1 A Hydronie, East Bank Essequibo, this morning has determined that the blaze was caused by a slack electrical connection.

The faulty connection led to arcing and sparking, igniting nearby combustible materials and ultimately engulfing the home of Hansraj Narine, 57, and Hemwattie Narine, 52, in the early hours of 9 February 2025.

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, and Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham have since expressed their deep condolences to the grieving family and the community.

Minister Benn also assured that a full investigation is ongoing to determine all contributing factors and to prevent future occurrences.

The fire, which broke out around 01:55 hrs, completely destroyed the 15m x 8m wooden and concrete structure.

The Guyana Fire Service arrived on the scene at 02:16 hrs, but the fire had already spread too quickly, leaving no time for the occupants to escape, a release said. Firefighters, it added, immediately worked to extinguish the flames, but the home and all its contents were lost.

Chief Fire Officer Wickham emphasised the critical importance of fire safety and electrical maintenance, urging all citizens to take necessary steps to safeguard their homes and families.