A fire destroyed the Brickdam Police Station on Saturday as firefighters struggled to contain the blaze at the wooden building.
The fire started shortly after 11 am.
Soon after the station was evacuated of police ranks and prisoners.
A number of vehicles which were in the compound at the time have been destroyed.
The Guyana Fire Service, which has its central headquarters nearby, has been accused of not responding immediately. The firefighters also had issues sourcing water to battle the flames.
The Guyana Fire Service this afternoon issued the following statement:
The Guyana Fire Service is investigating the circumstances that led to a major fire at the Brickdam Police Station earlier today.
The GFS received a call at 11:03 am and was alerted of a fire at the Brickdam Police Station.
Water Tenders #105, #76 & #113 from the Central Fire Station immediately responded to the scene and was subsequently assisted by Water Tenders #102 from Alberttown Fire Station, #107 from West Ruimveldt Fire Station, #95 from Diamond Fire Station, #106 from Campbellville Fire Station and #103 from Melanie Fire Station.
As a result of the fire the Brickdam Police Station was almost completely destroyed.
Investigations are underway to ascertain what caused the fire.
The police force this evening issued the following release:
The Guyana Police Force’s Regional Police Division 4 ‘A’ Headquarters at Brickdam, Georgetown, has been severely affected by a devastating fire that occurred today Saturday October 02, 2021.
The fire which started about 11:06 hrs in the upper part of an Eastern building, spread to several other mainly wooden buildings in the compound, despite the efforts of the members of the Guyana Fire Service who subsequently managed to bring it under control.
All the buildings in the compound have been completely destroyed with the exception of the station lockups, barracks and Impact Base. In addition, a few police vehicles were slightly damaged, while a number of privately owned vehicles that were detained in relation to matters under investigation have been destroyed or damaged.
All the prisoners who were in custody in the Station lockups were safely evacuated and there has been no loss of police or civilian life. However, a few police ranks received minor injuries during valiant efforts to save important records, equipment, furniture and arms and ammunition that have been relocated for safe keeping, and have received medical treatment.
The fire also damaged a business place located in Hadfield Street behind the Brickdam Police Station.
While investigations into the fire are being conducted, police operational activities in the Division are continuing unabated with efforts being made to relocate the affected offices and ranks.
In the meantime, the Guyana Police Force is informing members of the public that temporary police offices have been established at the St. Stanislaus College to deal with reports and other police related matters.
The public is hereby advised that the 911 number (line) is operable.