Gregory WickhamFour days after a fire broke out in a room at the Ramada Princess Hotel and Casino in Providence, East Bank Demerara, its origin is yet to be determined but according to the Fire Chief, Gregory Wickham that report is expected to be completed today.
“We have not concluded our investigation, but soon as we get the information it will be made available. We are hoping to complete the report by Wednesday, the latest”, Wickham said.
Reports are that just about 10:30 pm, at the height of the Guyana Cricket Carnival Super Concert taking place just next door, fire broke out in one of the rooms on the fourth floor.
At the time the occupant was not in the room.
Following the discovery of the fire, the staff alerted the guests to evacuate the building, as the fire continued to spread through the room.
Smoke was observed emanating from the eastern side of the building which triggered the fire alarm and sprinkler systems. At that time, the hotel with 194 rooms was at full capacity with 293 adults and 4 children.
According to the Fire Department, they received a call about 22.47 hours and the Eccles, Diamond, Central, and West Ruimveldt fire stations promptly dispatched water tenders, water carriers, a hydraulic platform, three ambulances, and their personnel to the scene, with the first appliance arriving at 22.54 hours.
Some 13 persons had to be rescued from the building while one had to be treated for smoke inhalation.
At 3 am, the Fire Service reported they had the fire under control and the guests staying at the hotel had to be accommodated elsewhere. The hotel is now temporarily closed.
Some of the survivors were reported by the Trinidad Express as saying that the experience was terrifying.
It was reported that by some individuals that when the fire broke out they had nowhere to go. So, the only escape route was to have to take objects in their room to break glass and escape from climbing to the floors below via the balcony.
