Fire Chief Kalamadeen Edoo says that the Guyana Fire Service remains “optimistic” that the fire which ripped through a laboratory at the Georgetown Public Hospital was intentionally set but he noted that investigators are awaiting further lab results.
During a telephone interview with the News Room on Wednesday, the Fire Chief said that the oil-like substance found at the scene on Saturday was sent to the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory for identification.
Once that substance is positively identified, Edoo said that the fire service will “move to the next level.”
Asked what that means, Edoo only explained that he still has the “same optimism” that the fire was an act of arson.
He pointed out that investigators have been able to access CCTV footage which has proven very valuable. No suspect has been detained as yet, though.
Hours after the fire ripped through the laboratory, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (ag.) Robbie Rambarran related that preliminary investigation suggests that the fire may have been an act of arson.
Later in the day, both the Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony and the Minister of Home Affairs Robeson echoed similar sentiments.
The equipment destroyed costs at least $20 million and will take several months to procure. As such, the hospital’s ability to provide heart test services to scores of patients will be continued.
