Deadly Mahdia fire: Parika-Supenaam boat operators make monetary donation to victims’ families

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has received a monetary donation of $250,000 from the Parika-Supenaam Speedboat Owners Association (PSSOA).
This gesture is geared towards aiding the victims of the Mahdia dormitory fire, a press statement from the CDC said on Friday.
“The Association expressed sympathy towards those who lost loved ones and pledged to send well wishes to the survivors. The CDC continues to maintain strong partnerships with private institutions, especially during times of tragedy,” the statement added.
On May, 29, a 15-year-old girl was arraigned for allegedly setting fire to the Mahdia Secondary School female dormitory which claimed the lives of 20 children—19 girls and a five-year-old boy.
The girl, who was initially charged with 19 counts of murder, is likely to be slapped with another murder charge since another child, Sherana Daniels, 13, succumbed to her injuries on May 30.
The murder accused is being held on remand at the Juvenile Holding Centre.
She has so far been charged with the murders of Nicholeen Robinson; Martha D’Andrade; Shorline Bellarmine; Eulanda Carter; Adonijah Jerome; Subrina John; Cleoma Simon; Tracil Thomas; Andrea Roberts; Lisa Roberts; Rita Jeffery; Loreen Evans; Delicia Edwards; Belnisa Evans; Lorita Williams; Mary D’Andrade; Omefa Evans; Natalie Bellarmine; and Arianna Edwards.
The May 21, 2023 inferno killed 19 female students between the ages of 12 and 17 and a five-year-old boy, who was the son of the dorm parents.
Days following the horrific incident, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) disclosed that the fire was allegedly started by the 15-year-old student, who also lived at the dorm, after her cellular phone was taken away by the dorm’s mother and a teacher.
Initial information received from sources close to the investigation had revealed that the teen in question was reportedly previously suspended for engaging in activities contrary to the rules of the institution and was involved in an argument with the administrators during which she allegedly threatened to cause “trouble.”
The Mahdia school’s dormitory housed students from the communities of Karisparu, El Paso, Micobie, and Chenapao, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
The fire was allegedly set in the bathroom area of the dormitory. According to the surviving female students, they were asleep and were awakened by screams.
Upon checking, they saw fire and smoke in the bathroom area, which quickly spread in the building, causing several students to receive burns to their bodies and smoke inhalation, whilst several managed to escape. Several of the injured students were air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for treatment.
According to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the dormitory housed 59 students. At the time of the fire, there were 56 females and a five-year-old boy inside.
The remaining students had gone home for the weekend. The dormitory’s 26 windows were heavily grilled and the five doors were locked with keys when the fire broke out.
President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) will be conducted into the deadly blaze. He also announced that the victims’ families will be compensated by the State. (G1)