A Guyana Fire Service (GFS) investigation has concluded that the blaze which gutted the Christ Church Secondary School last Thursday afternoon was an act of arson.
“……The cause was determined…. It was maliciously set by person/s unknown,” Fire Chief (ag), Gregory Wickham yesterday told Stabroek News.
In a press release yesterday afternoon, the GFS noted that there were several points of origin of the fire on January 12th. There had also been a suspicious combustion at a school lab on January 4th which required fire service intervention.
“….Taken into consideration the time of the day that both fires occurred (16:29hrs [January 4th] and 17:22hrs [January 13th]) coupled with the fact that the second fire had several points of origin (seats), it is the determination of the Guyana Fire Service that the fire was maliciously set by a person or persons unknown”, the release said.
According to the press release, investigators were able to determine the cause of the fire having ruled out that it was electrical in origin or as a result of another chemical reaction.
“On the evening of the previous fire at the learning institute, which was ruled the result of a chemical reaction combustion, all chemicals were removed from the building. As such, there were no chemicals in the building at the time of the second fire, which rules out the possibility that it was another chemical reaction,” the GFS said.
“Furthermore, the day after the first fire at the school, Christ Church Secondary was inspected and certified by the Government Electrical Inspectorate, which rules out the possibility of the second fire being electrical in origin,” it added.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has since taken over the investigation.
It is unclear whether any arrest has yet been made. However, Police Comman-der of Region 4A, Simon McBean yesterday told Stabroek News that the investigation is ongoing.
In the release yesterday, the GFS said it received a call at 17:22hrs on January 13th and water tenders from the Central, Albert-town, West Ruimveldt and Campbellville fire stations were immediately dispatched to the location.
Upon their arrival, the GFS said firefighters observed smoke emanating from the two-storey wooden and concrete structure. “…And while getting into action, the building quickly became engulfed in flames,” the GFS said.
And, despite firefighting efforts, the GFS said more than 80 percent of the building and its contents were destroyed, with the remainder suffering severe damage.
“Eight jets working from an open water source, a water relay system, fire hydrant and tank supply were used to extinguish the blaze,” the release noted.
Three neighbouring buildings were also affected by the conflagration and suffered damage to several AC units, PVC guttering, ceilings, windows, and curtains, the GFS noted.
On January 4th, the GFS was summoned to the school around 4:30 pm after receiving information that smoke was emanating from the building.
Wickham had said although initially believing it was a fire, investigations found that several chemicals being stored in the Science laboratory were released and caused a combustion. The chemicals were subsequently remov-ed from the building.
At the time of the fire, the school’s premises was secured by Atlas Security Service.
Stabroek News had previously spoken to an official of the firm who had said that they too are investigating the fire.
The woman had told this newspaper that one of the guards who was on duty contacted the company’s office last Thursday afternoon upon noticing fire coming from the school building.
“I can say that one of the ranks that was on that location made contact with the office shortly after they saw fire coming from the building and they were advised by this office to get to a safe space, taking the security diary with them,” the woman explained.
By that time, she said the GFS had already been informed.
The school catered for 502 students, 39 teachers and nine ancillary staff. The Ministry of Education is still looking at locations to accommodate the displaced students. In the meantime, they are engaged in online classes.
