Brickdam Police Station crumbles after tragic fire strikes

…weapons secured, 911 remains in operation

By Rupa Seenaraine

Tragedy unfolded on Saturday morning after a voracious fire assailed the Brickdam Police Station and plunged the entire block into a state of mayhem as it destroyed almost the entire complex.
Reports are that smoke was seen emanating from the eastern end of the Brickdam Police Station, which houses the Region Four ‘A’ Division Headquarters, just before 11:00h, and minutes later, first responders arrived on the scene; but by then the flames had already spiralled out of control, consuming a significant chunk of the three-storey structure. And as firefighters mobilised efforts to contain the blaze, it audaciously engulfed adjoining sections.

Dozens of firefighters fought the raging inferno utilising eight tenders from the Central, Alberttown, West Ruimveldt, Diamond, Campbellville and Melanie Fire stations, while simultaneously Police officers controlled hundreds of bystanders, diverting traffic and evacuating important articles from within the station’s compound. But the languid strength from the fire tenders was no match for the growing inferno.
It was just a short time before the front section of the wooden building crumbled, and the flames leapt higher, threatening a series of buildings that lined Hadfield Street along with an abandoned service station belonging to the Guyana Oil Company. Due to aggressive winds, which sent smoke and embers flying, Khan’s Auto Sales was not spared.
Other buildings, including the National Toshaos Council and law offices belonging to Attorneys-at-Law Sase Gunraj and Nigel Hughes, were also facing imminent threat as the strong gusts of winds encouraged the raging fire.
Some owners proceeded to soak their buildings with buckets of water as a safety precaution.
When this publication approached Gunraj for a comment on the situation, he was seemingly displeased with the level of support provided by the Fire Service.
One incredulous onlooker could not come to grips with the fact that his vehicle which was in the station’s compound had gone up in flames. 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.
Also on the sidelines were Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, Education Minister Priya Manickchand, Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy. The AG, engaging media operatives, noted, “The Fire Service did not respond as one would have expected… they tried, but the tenders took so long to come. They are here, and we hope the fire can be kept under control. We are trying to protect the buildings on Hadfield Street now, because the fire is blowing. Look at the tree that is burning in [Saint Stanislaus College’s] compound. That school is a wooden school, so we have to now protect the buildings that are close by.”
Three hours later, 80 per cent of the Brickdam Police Station was ravaged, painting a picture of charred vehicles and tonnes of debris within the compound. Fire Chief Kalamadeen Edoo was on site, but did not engage the media at that time. Among the destroyed facilities are the Property Room, Inquires Office, Traffic Department and Officers’ Mess. Just the barracks, located on the western end and lining Manget Place, remained intact, along with the Impact building and the lockups.

Weapons, prisoners secured
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn called a press conference in which he labelled the situation as a “great loss” for the Joint Services. He was joined by Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie, Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken, Divisional Commander Simon Mc Bean, and Cabinet Members.
According to Benn, the Police were able to account for all 16 prisoners within the facility, salvage records, and secure the arsenal before the situation descended into greater chaos.
“The Police made valid efforts to retrieve much of the files. In the first instance, of course, to take the prisoners who are held in lockups to safety, to prevent any loss of life or injury, and to secure the firearms which are part of the operating equipment,” he disclosed.
In the meantime, contingency plans materialised to ensure operations continue through a temporary relocation, as well as resources to answer calls at the Control Centre.

“We have been making efforts to restore operations as soon as possible, to facilitate and support the Guyana Police Force to get its operations and the Force’s Central Police Station building into action as quickly as possible…Assessments have to be made in respect to the losses of equipment. There is loss of vehicles, some exhibits, and some items. Work will have to be done to reconstruct some files which were lost,” Benn noted.

Temporary outposts, 911 operation
Meanwhile, the GPF said that 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 officers and ranks. Temporary Police offices/outposts have since been set up at the St. Stanislaus College to deal with reports and other Police-related matters.
The public has also been advised that the 911 number (line) continues to be in operation.

Rebuilding
Action will soon be taken to re-establish a building to house officers which were stationed at the Brickdam Headquarters. By the end of Saturday, those ranks were already relocated to remain on duty. This publication understands that 398 officers were working from the compound – which was over 100 years old.
“Issues relating to a future building are already being considered by our engineers. We already told them to think now about what we need for a temporary location and in terms of a new Police Headquarters building for 4A at Brickdam,” Benn added.
Additionally, the Top Cop has since assured citizens that immediate mechanisms would be activated to maintain order and address any crime-related matter.
“That will not deter us. We have already started immediately to put systems in place to ensure that we keep our mandate of service and protection to citizens of the city…We just want to share with the citizens, those particularly in Georgetown, that there should be no fear. The Police have already put systems in place to ensure that we continue to patrol and to ensure that peace and order prevail,” Hoppie shared.
An inventory of records will soon be undertaken, and the Guyana Fire Service is continuing its investigation.