…hits the GPF’s solar plexus
Here we go again – another day, another fire. But this time it’s not just any old building, but the most famous of all of Guyana’s Police stations – Brickdam Police Station. It’s on Brickdam St – the first road built (by the French) in the Stabroek section of what was to become Georgetown under the British. So, there we have it – a confluence of French, Dutch and British heritages gone with the wind like so many other historic buildings.
The most egregious, in the estimation of your (nostalgic) Eyewitness, was the spectacular New Amsterdam Hospital, which – not so incidentally – was also designed by the premier architect of Guyana – Cesar Castellani. His most famous creation – City Hall – was about to implode from the (lack of) ministrations by the PNC that’s been running the City since Burnham from the 1950s. Didn’t know that Burnham was once Mayor of Georgetown? Go to the back of the class, not-so-dear reader!
For those with a historic bent, your Eyewitness provides a background to what will be no more: “The Brickdam Police Station Complex is located with its main entrance on Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown and occupies an entire block ((Hadfield Street & Brickdam (east to West) & Sendell & Manget Places (north to south)). The main building is believed to have been designed and constructed by Cesar Castellani. It’s decorative cast iron and a weather vane atop the roof are among some of its notable architectural features. Housed within the complex are several offices, which were once residences of affluent men in society and the police force.” Just change all the “is” to “was”.
Your Eyewitness won’t dwell too long on the response by the GPF’s fellow member of the Disciplined Forces – the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) – to their then smouldering tragedy. Citizens who’ve bemoaned the ineffectiveness of the GFS in “outing” conflagrations can at least be assured they weren’t being discriminated against!! From all reports, there was as much cussing out of the GFS by their (uniformed) brothers as by long-burnt-out citizens. The main Fire Station in all of Guyana was just a block away!!
Your Eyewitness raises the possibility that Brickdam fire mightn’t be unrelated to the one that gutted that school in Mabaruma – or the fires in West Berbice last year. We know, from investigations by the GFS, that Mabaruma was deliberately set; and, in fact, two explosions had been heard before that fire broke out. There will be, of course, an inquiry into the Brickdam Station fire, and your Eyewitness awaits this with bated breath. As Dr No proposed in the matters, the first time is “happenstance”, the second is “coincidence”.
And the third is “enemy action”.
…outed by Gandhi St?
For too long, our poor mudland – especially in our once glorious Garden City – has been wracked by fires. Not just because of our ubiquitous wooden buildings, or children playing with matches. Sadly, too many of our (in)famous fires were acts of arson. It all began, of course, with the Black Friday fires of Feb 16, 1961 – executed by the PNC and the UF as their marriage was being stage-managed by “external forces” who wanted to see the back of Dr Jagan.
The subsequent arsons of 1963-1964 spread from the city into the Demerara countryside, to become a crescendo at Wismar – when Guyana experienced its first ethnic cleansing. After the PNC was sent backing in 1992, we experienced another extended bout of arson in the city. As we appear poised for another slow fyaah, maybe the suggestion that Middle Street be renamed “Mahatma Gandhi St” might calm matters?
If the reminder of the Apostle of non-violence, who inspired MLK, won’t calm some savage breasts, what will?
…but solar power next?
Your Eyewitness is happy about the 25,000 solar panels designated for the hinterland, where REDD funds have supplied panels for years.
Could some be sent to communities in the Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks, where kerosene lamps are still being used by many?
