Cause of North West school fire still to be ascertained
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has said that the cause of the fire at the North West Secondary School and dormitory at Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) on Saturday last is yet to be ascertained.
Contacted on Wednesday, an official of the GFS said, “Investigations are still ongoing to ascertain what caused the fire, and arson is not suspected at this time.”
The fire erupted at about 22:10h at the educational facility on Saturday last, destroying the two-storey wooden-and-concrete structure measuring about 150 feet by 200 feet.
The school consisted of an auditorium, six classrooms and a home economics department.
The structure engulfed in flames
Enquiries disclosed that a security guard of Baranobo Hill, Mabaruma was in his guard hut on his cellular phone when he heard three loud explosions. The sounds emanated from a room on the second floor of the eastern side of the building.
Checks were made, and he observed the room engulfed in flames. The man immediately made his way to the Mabaruma Police Station and lodged a report.
Upon the Fire Service’s arrival on scene, they were able to extinguished the fire with assistance from members of the Joint Services and the public.
Despite their strenuous efforts, most of the building and the aforementioned articles were damaged.
According to reports, rooms in the school had an undisclosed amount of stationery, besides desks and benches, chalk boards, computers, laboratory equipment, kitchen utensils and other items.
Investigations into the fire continue.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Priya Manickchand has since disclosed plans to rebuild the edifice. Manickchand took to social media to express dismay at the series of events, noting that she had recently visited the school and found that it was in a state to offer quality educational opportunities to students. However, she posited that the institution would be rebuilt.
Earlier this year, the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School was gutted by fire. The teaching block which housed all the classrooms, located on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, was completely destroyed. (G9)
