Electrical faults and theft of electricity have emerged as significant contributors to the more than 2,200 fire incidents recorded in 2025, according to Fire Chief Gregory Wickham. The Guyana Fire Service reported receiving a total of 2,267 fire calls this year, a notable decrease of nearly 1,200 from the 3,461 calls logged in 2024.
In a recent interview, Fire Chief Wickham reported a decline in fire-related fatalities, with the number of deaths dropping from 20 in 2024 to 17 in 2025. However, he highlighted a troubling increase in electrical fires, often linked to unsafe wiring practices and overloaded circuits.
“We have seen many fires caused by internal electrical issues, primarily due to circuit overloads and illegal power connections,” Wickham stated. “Electricity theft poses a severe risk not only to lives but also to properties.”
Wickham cautioned those engaged in electricity theft, urging them to cease such practices. “It is illegal and has led to the destruction of many properties and the loss of lives,” he emphasized.
The Fire Chief further pointed out that some incidents were a result of careless waste-burning practices where individuals lit fires to dispose of garbage but failed to supervise them, leading to the spread of flames to nearby structures.
“We have also seen cases where fires were deliberately set, resulting in significant property damage,” he added, advising residents to closely monitor any use of fire.
Wickham attributed recent successes in fire prevention efforts to increased community engagement and public education. Firefighters have moved beyond mere emergency response, focusing on preventive measures and preparedness. This has led to a positive shift in public behavior, allowing many residents to extinguish small fires before they escalate.
“The amount of fires we would have responded to, which didn’t require firefighting, indicates the benefits of our community engagement,” he noted.
As part of ongoing prevention strategies, Wickham urged citizens to equip their homes with essential firefighting and early-warning devices, such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and fire alarms.
“We implore persons to ensure that you have the basic firefighting appliances in your
