Small fire contained at Sophia holding centre

– three juveniles treated for smoke inhalation

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was last evening able to contain a small fire at the Juvenile Detention Centre, Sophia that resulted in three detainees being rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital and treated for smoke inhalation

Stabroek News understands that the fire, which occurred just after 6 pm, was as a result of two mattresses being set alight in a cell at the detention centre.

Officer-in-Charge of Operations at the GFS Compton Sparman in an invited comment said the GFS was notified of the fire just after 6 pm and dispatched units from both its Central and Campbellville locations.

He said that though the unit from the Campbellville location arrived at the scene within minutes, the custodians at the centre had already begun efforts to quell the fire with buckets of water. However, once the unit arrived, firefighters were able to completely douse the fire.

Based on preliminary investigations, Sparman said, it would seem that fire was set to two mattresses in two cells which housed male juveniles between the ages of 12 to 16 years old.

Though the building suffered no damage and no one was hurt, three male juveniles had to receive oxygen on the ground before being rushed to the hospital by the Guyana Fire Service’s Emergency Medical Service (EMS); up to press time last night, they were said to be under observation.

In the meantime, Sparman said that investigations will continue today to determine the circumstances that led to the fire.

The Juvenile Detention Centre was declared open by then Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee in April 2011.

Said to be the first facility of its kind locally, the centre is located in the compound of the Sophia Training School and became operational more than two years after the legislative framework was tabled and approved in parliament for its establishment.

Rohee at that time had explained that there had been a need for a juvenile holding centre for a while, but before it could be filled it was necessary that the Juvenile Offenders Act be amended.

The Juvenile Offenders Amendment Act, which was passed in August 2007, makes provisions for holding centres for juveniles. Section 20 (a) of the Act says that the minister may establish and maintain as many centres as may be necessary… for the reception, care and custody of children and young persons under the orders of the court or for any other appropriate reasons as the minister may determine.