A radio set at the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) office at Lethem, in Region Nine, was damaged on Thursday night by a mysterious fire which was confined to the equipment and a table. Reports are that staff attached to the party office in the border community turned up to work yesterday morning and made the discovery.
According to a source in the area, an employee related that the radio set, valued at more than $500,000 and which is used as a means of communication with outlying communities in the region, was seen smoking while other electrical equipment, including an electrical converter was slightly damaged.
The source said that it appears the electrical equipment may have overheated, since it was left connected to a nearby electrical outlet overnight. However, he said “mysteriously” the electrical point bore no burn marks, which would suggest that the radio set may have overheated.
There are reports too that a beer can, with its top cut off, was observed near to the table where the radio set stood.
A resident who lives close to the building told this newspaper that there are suggestions that there may have been an attempt to burn the building but he noted that this is being dispelled by the police.
Attempts by this newspaper to reach fire chief Marlon Gentle yesterday were futile, however, a source close to the party in Lethem told Stabroek News that fire officials are in the region investigating the incident.
