-GFS says

FOUR days after Christ Church Secondary School was destroyed by fire, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has determined that it was maliciously set as several points of origin were found.

The GFS said in a press release that it has been working assiduously to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the major fire.

It explained that last Thursday, the GFS received a call at 17:22hrs alerting it to a fire at the school, which is located at Camp and Middle Streets, Georgetown.

Water tenders from the Central, Alberttown, West Ruimveldt, and Campbellville fire stations were immediately dispatched to the location.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke emanating from the two-storey wooden and concrete structure, and while getting into action, the building quickly became engulfed in flames.

“Despite firefighting efforts, more than 80 per cent of the building and its contents were destroyed, with the remainder suffering severe damage. Additionally, three buildings in close proximity to the school were affected by the inferno and suffered damage to several AC units, PVC guttering, ceilings, windows, and curtains. Four vehicles also suffered damage to their tail lights, bumpers, and number plates. This was all due to the radiated heat from the building of origin,” the release said.

The fire was eventually contained, and firefighters were able to stop it from spreading to the Office of the Prime Minister and other nearby buildings.

“Eight jets were employed onto the flames, working from a fire hydrant, open water source and original tank supply. This brought the fire under control and subsequently extinguished the blaze,” the release added.

The Fire Prevention Department began its investigation immediately and found that on the evening of the previous fire at the learning institute, which was caused by a chemical reaction combustion, all chemicals were removed from the building.

“As such, there were no chemicals in the building at the time of the second fire, which rules out the possibility that it was another chemical reaction,” the release said.

It added that the day after the first fire, the school was inspected and certified by the Government Electrical Inspectorate, which rules out the possibility of the second fire being electrical in origin.

“Finally, taking into consideration the time of day that both fires occurred (16:29hrs and 17:22hrs), coupled with the fact that the second fire had several points of origin (seats), it is the determination of the Guyana Fire Service that the fire was maliciously set by person or persons unknown,” the release added.