SBAs for CSEC students destroyed in Chase Academy fire

A fire of unknown origin on Tuesday morning destroyed the administrative building at Chase Academy, Parade Street, Georgetown.

The three-storey building housed the office of the school’s principal, Henry Chase, the staff room and classrooms.

The News Room understands that the School-Based Assessment (SBAs) of CSEC students were destroyed in the fire. However, it was noted that the SBAs would have already been marked and sent to the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC).

The live-in security guard, William Arthur told the News Room that the fire started about 02:30h.

Arthur said he was patrolling the corridors when he saw thick smoke emanating from the principal’s office, located on the ground floor. The security officer explained that he ran and turned off the main electrical switch for the building and then managed to open the office door; by this time the fire had already engulfed the building.

The building also housed the Gifted Hands Learning Centre for children with special needs.

The Guyana Fire Service arrived at the scene shortly after and managed to prevent the fire from spreading to the other buildings.

An investigation into the fire is ongoing.