The Guyana Fire Service (GPS) has concluded its probe into the fire that ripped through the Chase Academy building at Parade Street, Georgetown, on August 4, 2020, and has since determined that the fire was electrical in nature.
File photo: Firefighters battling the blaze
This was confirmed by Fire Chief Marlon Gentle, who stated that based on the findings of the Guyana Fire Service’s investigations, the fire started as a result of an electrical issue.
It was reported that flames were seen coming from the ground floor of the three-storey wooden structure after 02:00h on the day in question.
This was the section which housed the principal’s office, where School-Based Assessments were stored for students sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination. These suffered fire and water damages.
A security guard on duty reportedly saw the flames and immediately raised an alarm. William Arthur, who was on the corridor, said he turned off the electrical supply and proceeded to throw water on the flames, which was inadequate.
By then, a neighbour came out and called the Guyana Fire Service. Tenders arrived on the scene shortly after to put out the blaze.
They managed to save the outer shell of the building from flattening completely. Along with the private academy, a special need learning centre also operated in the same building. It is unclear how much losses were incurred. (G1)
