The Guyana Prison Service Building, located on Parade Street in Georgetown, caught fire just moments ago. The structure is currently used as a residential quarter for approximately Thirty (30) Prison officers and is located adjacent to the Theatre Guild.
Guyana Police Force personnel have been stationed there to help with the instructors’ and pupils’ evacuation at the Chase Academy School and Westfield Prep School which are opposite the burning building. There is no immediate threat to the school or its students, but the smoke emissions necessitate evacuation. Employees at neighboring businesses are being evacuated in the same manner.
Guyana Fire Service Officials are already on the scene and working hard to extinguish the fire and keep it from spreading to nearby structures. The entire structure has been destroyed even as firefighters combat the challenge of high gusts. It is unclear whether or not people are trapped within the structure.
Mr. Persaud, the Divisional Head, indicated in an interview with the Ministry of Home Affairs that the fire fighters responded swiftly, but owing to low water pressure in the area, the operations were delayed before the fire was overcome and contained. The Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Robeson Benn, was present at the scene of the fire.
Details are still emerging.