–after fire erupts following fight among inmates

HAVING averted what could have been a devasting fire at the National Psychiatric Hospital, in Canje, East Berbice, firefighters and hospital employees were unable to detain several patients who escaped from the facility amid the ruckus on Saturday evening.

According to a report from the Guyana Police Force, the fire erupted around 19:15 hours following an altercation among three of the 31 male patients housed in the Chalet Four Male Admission Ward of the hospital.

On hearing the ruckus, the matron, along with the supervisor and two male nurses, rushed to the ward, only to see smoke coming from inside it, and hear the patients shouting for help.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and the police were subsequently alerted to the situation by officials of the hospital.
While firefighters were attempting to extinguish the fire, nine patients used the opportunity to escape from the facility by way of a door on the southern side of the building.

According to the police, three of the escapees have been recaptured, while a fourth voluntarily walked into the hospital. They say the hunt is still on for the remaining five.

All four escapees, the police say, have burns about their bodies, and are currently receiving medical attention.
The 11 other patients who received burns about their bodies were rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where they were admitted and are in a stable condition.

Eight of the remaining patients who did not receive injuries during the ordeal were relocated to the Acute Centre, while three are housed in Chalet One.