The fire which destroyed the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre in Kingston, Georgetown started about 04:00hrs on Friday while the occupants were meditating.
The two-storey building, made mostly of wood, is used to offer various meditation and spiritual courses on personal development.
Two sisters of the centre, Parbattie Singh and Usha [only name given], were inside the building when the fire started and quickly grabbed what they can, unlocked the door and ran to safety.
When the News Room arrived at the scene, Singh was still visibly shaken but said they were meditating when the lights went out.
She explained that they didn’t take it seriously but after some ten minutes they heard a banging noise and upon investigating, they realized the building was on fire.
Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told the News Room at the scene that there are severe damages to the top of the building.
“We got a call at 4:34am, we got here with four trucks, this building was on fire and we were able to extinguish the fire, there are severe damages to the top of the building and the ground floor also has some damages,” the Fire Chief said.
He said they have not yet been able to ascertain the cause of the fire and an investigation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, a security guard Navindra Narine said he has been working at the centre for two years now. He said the fire started in the northern side of the building.
“I heard glass falling down and I see the smoke and I go out and peep and see it was fire,” Narine said.
The News Room understands that the centre was destroyed by another fire many years ago.
