A fire of unknown origin charred the Lethem Multipurpose building yesterday morning destroying several pieces of office equipment and important documents since the building housed several offices including the Lethem Immigration Office which sustained the most damage.
Meanwhile, residents are applauding the Guyana Defence Force soldiers for containing the flame and saving the building from total destruction.
According to a resident, the fire started around 4 am in the corner of the building where the Immigration Office was housed and was quickly controlled by the soldiers who were the first at the scene and was only contained to the Immigration Department and other parts of the building was blackened and charred by the smoke.
He added that the damage was only internal and limited to basic office equipment. A source close to the management of the facility said the estimated cost to have the building repaired would be in excess of $10 million.
The residents are all calling on the relevant authorities to have a Fire Station built in the village since there has been an increase in high profiles fire in the area. The building has been cordoned off pending the arrival of fire investigators to conduct their investigations.
