the institution’s main buildings on Saturday morning. 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 “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, James Singh, when he heard that the college was on fire. (Kaieteur News)