Section of demolished house falls into school compound

Mar 19, 2013 News

– Severs utility pole, endangers students
Reckless demolition caused a utility pole in the ISA Islamic School compound, East Street, Georgetown, to snap in half after a section of a neighbouring wooden building collapsed into the school compound during a demolition yesterday.
This occurred minutes after a break in classes at the school which caters for over 500 students. Luckily, no one was within the compound at the time of the collapse. Guyana Power and Light emergency unit visited the scene and neutralized the power supply because wires were dangling in the school compound.

A section of the demolished building within the school compound.

According to Principal of the Islamic School, Akram Hussein, it was observed that a demolition exercise was being done on a neighbouring building. However, no notice or consideration was given especially since it was being done next to a school.
He explained that it was clear that no necessary precaution was taken during the demolition, since straps were not used to prevent the building from falling into the school yard where children traverse.
“It happened minutes before the school bell rang after the break…One person was doing the demolition; there was nothing to restrain any movement of the walls. All that was heard was a loud sound, and the power went off. Normally students play in the same area where the wall and electrical wire fell,” the Principal said.
However, a generator was used to supplement the necessary power for the school.
Residents in the area are calling for the Mayor and City Council to address the issue of buildings being demolished without the requisite permission, safety method and manpower.