Prisoner sets fire to lock-ups at Brickdam Police Station

A prisoner who was being detained for armed robbery is now being investigated for his role in setting fire to mattresses while in custody at the Brickdam Police Station.

The News Room was reliably informed that the incident occurred at about 06.50hrs on Sunday.

Quick response by ranks on duty at the time resulted in the fire being extinguished.

The fire was allegedly set by Stephan Howard, 22, a vendor of  East La Penitence, Georgetown who was arrested on Saturday.

According to information reaching the News Room, a Constable on duty heard prisoners shouting “fire, fire.”

As a result, the rank immediately went to the lock-ups where he noticed smoke emanating from one of the cells.

It was the same cell where Howard was being housed.

The rank took Howard out of the cell where two mattresses were partially burnt.

The Guyana Fire (GFS) was summoned but by the time firefighters arrived, the fire was already put out.

Howard, the News Room was told, subsequently complained of feeling unwell.

He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he is seeking medical attention under Police guard.

At the time of the incident, six other prisoners were in custody at the lock-ups.

In October 2021, the Brickdam Police Station was completely destroyed by a fire allegedly set by a prisoner in the lock ups.