Fire just after 7 am today ravaged the historic St Joseph Mercy Hospital.
The administrative section of the stately wooden building was completely destroyed but other important sections that included the wards and operating theatre were spared.
Thick grey smoke began issuing from the central portion of the hospital shortly before 7 am and in a matter of minutes the aged wooden structure was engulfed.
Nurses ran helter-skelter to evacuate patients in wheelchairs, in beds and with IV tubes attached. There were screams from staffers and others on the scene trying to ensure that all patients were evacuated. Thus far there have been no reports of any casualties.
Up to 7.40 am the fire was still burning. The fire service had a negligible presence on the scene at the start of the blaze despite numerous additions to its equipment in recent years.
At the most there were only two hoses trained on the front part of the structure in the crucial 20 minutes after the blaze. Police from the nearby Eve Leary headquarters quickly set up barricades and kept the rapidly gathering crowd at a distance.
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee arrived on the scene at 7.24 am and several of the larger fire tenders arrived shortly thereafter. By that time the hospital was almost completely destroyed. There were concerns about a large gas tank at the back of the premises exploding.
Balls of fire rolled across the central corridor of the Parade Street, Kingston hospital forcing back onlookers and employees who lamented the early-morning tragedy. The hospital had been one of the premier providers of health services for many years.
The flames were finally put out around 8.30 am. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds also visited the scene. President Bharrat Jagdeo is scheduled to visit the scene of the fire this afternoon at 4.30.
According to its website, the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital had its beginnings when a group of Catholic laymen of the “Sword of the Spirit” movement saw the need for another hospital in Georgetown, Guyana. The Sword of the Spirit was an Association of lay people pledged to the love and service of others with no exception. The idea of a Catholic hospital was not a new one and over the years was being considered by different people, but for one reason or the other, had to be put aside. It was at a group discussion of the “Sword of the Spirit” that the idea of a Catholic hospital was once again considered and a challenging decision was taken to build a Catholic hospital.
“They envisioned that this hospital would have as its philosophy, the commitment to serve the community by making available competent health care to those who sought it, irrespective of race, colour or creed, mindful of the teachings of Jesus Christ, Gospel values and the spiritual/physical nature of humankind endeavors. The dignity and individuality of every person was to be honoured by rendering this care in a compassionate and Christian manner.”
“As a result of this decision, a committee was setup to bring this project into being. The committee was comprised of doctors, lawyers and businessmen, all members of the “Sword of the Spirit” movement. Thus, in December 1943, with St. Joseph as it patron and a donation of three thousand dollars, the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital had its beginnings. With the war in progress, it seemed an unlikely time to embark on such a project. All medical personnel were being recruited for other fronts and prices of essential commodities were at an all time high. However, the committee persevered with great courage despite all these obstacles.
“In March 1944, on the Feast of St. Joseph, the committee was successful in getting the Sisters of Mercy to undertake the Administration of the newly founded Hospital, thus solving one major problem for the committee. At the same time, property then known as Colonna House, already run as a private nursing home came into the market for sale. This property was purchased and renovated and expanded and is still the familiar frontage of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital unto the twenty-first century.
(More later)
