The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) responded to a blaze at Third Avenue, Bartica yesterday.
According to a statement from the GFS, Water Tender #98 and Water Bowser #11, were dispatched immediately.
Station Officer Relton Johnson led the operation, which included seven firefighters.
The fire engulfed a two-storey wooden and concrete building owned by 94-year-old Albert Hopkinson, who lived there with his daughter, Dawn Hopkinson.
The fire destroyed the top floor of the building, while the ground floor remained intact. Albert Hopkinson suffered second and third-degree burns and was airlifted to Georgetown Public Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Dawn Hopkinson sustained first and second-degree burns and is receiving treatment.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
The GFS is advising that homes should be equipped with fire prevention and firefighting devices like smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or buckets of sand to quickly alert and address any fire. Additionally, while grillwork provides security, having an evacuation plan or clear exit in case of emergencies is advised.
