The police are investigating a deliberate attempt made to burn sections of the Palms Geriatric Home, located at Brickdam, Georgetown, on Monday morning.
When contacted, Commander of Region 4 (a) Simon Mc Bean stated that several persons were assisting the police with the investigation as they seek further advice.
Fire Chief Marlon Gentle confirmed that a fire set to the home was an act of arson.
According to a Guyana Police Force press release, a nurse reported that about 7.05 am, she was making her way to the lobby area at Block A to record her time when she observed thick smoke emanating from the area. The woman, the police said, immediately exited and raised an alarm as she along with other staff from the Institution formed a bucket brigade and managed to extinguish the fire.
Nevertheless, the Guyana Fire Service was notified and Fire Chief Gentle and a team subsequently responded.
It was stated that while conducting investigations, a second alarm was raised and smoke was see emanating from the middle and upper flat of the nurse’s station at Block B of the Institution.
Immediately residents and personnel of the block evacuated the building as firefighters went into action and extinguished the fire.
No one was injured.
Investigators later discovered a pile of burnt and partially burnt documents on the floor that was previously kept in a cupboard nearby at Block A.
The walls were also scorched.
Further investigations carried out revealed two mattresses, an ironing board and cupboard partially burnt at Block B.
The Palms Administrator and nurses were interviewed, and debris uplifted for analysis.
