Tragedy at Upper Mazaruni… Children perish in dormitory fire

Sep 02, 2008 News

The victims’ parents, from left: Chrispin David, Willis Charles and Albert Sam

Three students from the Waramadong Secondary School perished in a fire which engulfed their dormitory on Sunday evening, leaving the entire community in shock and grief.
Those dead are Seleza Sam, 11, Stephanie David, 13, and Shandeleza George, 14.
According to reports, the fire started at about 22:40 hrs in the female dormitory of the institution at Waramadong, Upper Mazaruni River.
Reports stated that the students had reportedly lit a candle and had apparently fallen asleep, leaving it unattended.
The three dead girls are all from Quebanang Village, Upper Mazaruni, which is some five hours away from their school. The girls had travelled with their fathers to the school last Sunday.
Kaieteur News was told that Sam’s older sister jumped from the upper floor of the building, breaking her foot in the process.
Sam, on the other hand, returned for her book bag, and perished.
As news of the incident spread, Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh, and Minister of Local Government, Kellawan Lall, immediately flew into the community.
Speaking to the media late yesterday afternoon at the Ogle Airport, Minister Baksh said that the school accommodates over 450 students, with about 300 living in the dormitories.
“Luckily, the dorm that was burnt only had 15 students at the time, because many of the children had not returned as yet for classes.”
Twelve of the 15 students who were in the dormitory at the time managed to escape with the help of villagers, the minister said. One of the area’s residents, Leyland William, in particular, was said to have played a major role in saving the lives of those who escaped the inferno.

The aircraft which brought the children’s remains to Georgetown

“There was a church meeting not too far away, and the people ran over to help the students…they managed to save the adjacent building also…one of the survivors jumped from the top floor and broke her leg…she tried to save her sister, but she ran back for her bag and was burnt…the other students were still asleep,” the Education Minister added.
Baksh indicated that a meeting was held in the community and the teachers were asked to console and counsel the students.
“It is a really sad day,” the minister said, shaking his head in dismay.
Meanwhile, Minister Kellawan Lall told the media that the police will assist in identifying the students with the help of DNA testing.
“We are trying to get the police to expedite that matter…so that the parents can go back with the remains. We have made arrangements for the students that are still there to be housed in a new dormitory,” the minister said.
He pointed out that the dormitory in which the incident occurred was recently renovated.
By Monday, he said, arrangements will be put in place to accommodate the full complement of students at the school.
In the meantime, classes have been suspended for the rest of the week in the area.
The bodies of the students were flown to the city yesterday.
Crying as he spoke with the media, Albert Sam said that it was his 11-year-old daughter’s first day at secondary school.
“I carry my two children dem for school and register the small one because this is the first time she going to secondary school. I can’t believe this happen to her,” the grieving father said.
The fathers of the two other victims, Willis Charles and Chrispin David, were too grief stricken to speak.
Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Desrey Fox, who was also at the Ogle Airport to receive the parents, said that the incident has dampened the spirit of celebration for Amerindian Heritage Month.
The three dead students are all of Amerindian descent.
Dr. Fox will be accommodating the parents in the city until they can return to their homes.
A team of investigators have since been dispatched to the area. (Tusika Martin)