Investigators have concluded that the fire which destroyed a section of the Midtown hotel, restaurant and bar at Middle Street, Georgetown in October, was the result of arson.
This is according to Fire Chief Marlon Gentle, who told this newspaper that an investigation revealed that the fire was deliberately set to a room in the building.
“Someone set fire to one of the rooms. It was a deliberate act,” Gentle said.
The matter was handed over to the police.
The fire started around 6pm on October 19th at Lot 176 Middle Street, George-town. Quick response by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings.
The building is owned by former government minister Cathy Hughes and her husband, attorney Nigel Hughes. It previously housed the Sidewalk Café.
At the time, no one was reportedly inside the building. Four rooms and parts of the ceiling were destroyed.
Gentle had told reporters at the scene that that GFS received a call from residents who noticed smoke coming from the upper flat of the building.
He said firefighters responded and were able to quickly control the fire.
A source had told this newspaper that several items, including matches, were found at the scene.
