-Marlon Gentle tells Linden inquiry

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told the Linden Commission of Inquiry yesterday that fire maliciously set on July 18 was responsible for the destruction of the Linmine Secretariat and damage to the PPP building and that had it not been for road blockages, parts of the first building could have been saved.

Gentle was called to the stand yesterday at the Supreme Court as the Commission probing the fatal shootings and other events of July 18 at Linden continued its hearings.

“I believe that they would have been able to save sections of the building,” the Fire Chief said when asked about the fire at the Linmine Secretariat. He noted that the building was entirely destroyed.

Under questioning by attorney Latchmie Rahamat, who is representing persons whose property was damaged on July 18, Gentle told the commission that he was not on the ground on the day in question and that his report which has been tendered into evidence was compiled from information received from ranks who were stationed in Linden.

He said he was informed that the Linmine Secretariat building was the first set  on fire. “The reports I received is that the entire road from the Five Corner area going along to the Washer Pond Road was impassible because it was blocked with debris and barricades and large logs,” Gentle said. He pointed out that ranks were unable to render assistance to the Linmine Secretariat building immediately because of the blockage. “The tenders could have proceeded sometime after 11 that night,” he stated.

On that said evening, Gentle said he was informed that the PPP office building was also on fire but luckily fire tenders were able to gain access to that building and were able to save it. However, he noted that there was damage to the interior and the equipment within the building. “But the overall structure was saved,” he said. Ranks only observed burnt vehicles the following day, the fire chief said.

Gentle told the commission that he received both written and oral reports and that there was an overall report generated by the Guyana Fire Service of the events that occurred on July 18.

Audio

COI hearing 18/10/12 – Fire Chief Marlon Gentle’s testimony

Coi hearing 18-10-12 PT1 – Gentle

Coi hearing 18-10-12 PT2 – Gentle

He said that based on information gathered during a month-long investigation subsequent to July 18, it was found that the Linmine Building had various occupants such the Linden Legal Aid office, a security office, Praised Tabernacle Assembly Office, the visually impaired office, the Linmine Secretariat CEO, payroll, finance, security and IBM offices. To investigate, he said that there were ranks from Linden and Georgetown along with himself.

Rahamat stated that she is seeking compensation on behalf of the Government of Guyana for the losses.