Day one of the National Children’s Mashramani Competition finals got underway, yesterday, but not with the expected ‘bang’; rather there was a scare when the curtain caught fire at the National Cultural Center.
The fire reportedly started when sparks from the lights on stage came into contact with the curtain.
The Centre’s staff rushed on stage and doused the flames with fire extinguishers and there was a thick cloud of smoke drifting into the auditorium.
The children were promptly evacuated and quick response by officials from the Center and the Guyana Fire Service prevented any major damage.
Administrator of the Education Ministry’s Allied Arts Unit, Ms. Desiree Wyles-Ogle, in an invited comment, said it was an unfortunate start to the competitions.
“The teachers took charge and the children were evacuated quite orderly,” she said.
Responding to a query as to what guidelines were given to schools attending the competitions, Wyles-Ogle made it clear that the incident could not be blamed on the children.
“Michael Jackson’s hair caught on fire on one occasion. Accidents do happen in theatres, but the alertness of the Centre staffers saved the day,” she said.
The finals resumed about one hour later.