Latest update March 24th, 2025 7:05 AM
Over 200 affected after fire destroys section of Critchlow Labour College
Kaieteur News- Head of the Critchlow Labour College, Ivor English, said that over 200 persons, mainly students, have been affected by a fire that destroyed the institution’s main buildings on Saturday morning.
The partially destroyed Critchlow Labour College.
The fire reportedly erupted around 07:00 hrs. When Kaieteur News arrived on the scene, firefighters had the blaze under control. A large section of the building was completely gutted, but it was quite evident that firefighters were able to prevent the fire from destroying the entire college.
“I would say, over two hundred, because you have people coming in for programmes in the afternoons. I would say roughly over 200,” English told Kaieteur News.
He disclosed that it was a woman who saw the building on fire and contacted the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) “a little past 07:00hrs”.
“…A person… one of the clients or the vendors, they called us and told us the building was burning,” he said before adding, “They indicated that it was at the front of the building, the auditorium, and as you can see, the auditorium area almost completely gutted… 80 percent.”
He noted that a university was housed in that section of the building, containing a number of computers and other equipment.
“I cannot quantify that at the moment. You will get a better response, in terms volume and costs, from the principal of that university,” he told Kaieteur News.
English also praised the firefighters for their swift response.
“I think the response from the Fire Service was pretty good. When the lady called, not long after, they were on the ground,” he added.
The Head of the college also commended Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and President Irfaan Ali for the interest and support they have shown.
“Interest shown by the minister was commendable. He was on the ground. The minister arrived before I got here, down from the East Bank,” English said, adding, “And what’s also good is that the President called and offered his commiseration. He called and spoke with me on the phone and it’s a very excellent outpouring of support, and I think that is very good”.
Meanwhile, Minister Benn said that he was at a drug destruction exercise on Home Stretch Avenue with the Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh, when he heard that the college was on fire.
Immediately, he and the CANU Head changed course and headed to the scene.
He said that when they arrived, four fire tenders were already there.
“The fire spread very rapidly… the wind was high,” Benn related, while noting that by the time the firefighters were ready, the building was already engulfed.
“80 percent of the main auditorium building and the admin building has been destroyed,” he continued.
Benn also revealed that President Ali will engage English and other stakeholders to see what support government can offer.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis, who was also at the scene, confirmed that the President has promised some assistance.
“I understand that we are gonna be talking with the President. The President invited the administration to meet with him on this matter,” Lincoln said, while making it clear that although the fire may be “a tragedy to some extent”, anything that the college’s administration does going forward must be consistent with the development that is taking place in society.
He also pointed out that the fire has had a tremendous impact on the institution’s plans, noting that plans to renovate the institution were in train.
(Over 200 affected after fire destroys section of Critchlow Labour College)
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Development for whom?
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The Vice President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, has declared with great confidence that there... more
The Caribbean: Destined to Grin and Bear the Consequences of Its Self-Created Vulnerabilities?
By Sir Ronald Sanders For decades, many Caribbean nations have grappled with dependence on a small number of powerful countries... more
Weekend Cartoon
