Fire Prevention Officer of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), Sheldon Sauns said that an old duplex receptacle overheated and started the blaze that destroyed the St George’s High School on July 20.
Sauns in a phone interview with Stabroek News explained the nature of the electrical fire which ravaged the wooden school along Company Path. He said that a teacher from the Social Studies Department related to the GFS that a duplex receptacle (an outlet where two devices can be plugged in) had not been working for quite some time.
Sauns stated that the GFS would usually do inspections at schools where they would ensure that fire extinguishers are operational, smoke detectors are in order and proper guidelines for fire drills are in place. He stated that the GFS is not responsible for maintenance of the electrical system.
According to Sauns, the receptacle still had access to a continuous flow of electricity and the insulation overheated, melted and ignited the fire.
Stabroek News contacted the Ministry of Education for a comment on how often electrical maintenance is being done at schools. Ministry of Education Public Relations Officer, Murtland Haley said that the Ministry has an electrical maintenance schedule. When ask about the last time the St. George’s High School was electrically maintained, he stated that he would not be able to provide the information at this time.
Some 421 students were displaced by the fire and are to be accommodated at other schools.
