Woman suspected of setting Stabroek wharf stalls alight, arrested

The suspected arsonist in the Stabroek Market Wharf fire was on Monday arrested by the City Constabulary and handed over to the Guyana Police Force, acting Chief Constable Laurel Gittens yesterday told this newspaper.

Gittens explained that a woman who was the prime suspect, was arrested on Monday morning. She noted that the investigation is now in the hands of the national police, as the matter is an indictable one, and as such, cannot be dealt with by the constabulary.

Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle, told Stabroek News that based on information gathered, stalls 198 and 199 were set alight two Mondays ago.

Gentle noted that the Guyana Fire Service received calls around 11.45 pm from someone in the Stabroek Market area and also from persons at the Marine Station, indicating that a section of the wharf was on fire. He said the fire department was able to mobilise several fire trucks from around Georgetown for its response.

At the wharf, he noted, they found several stalls and a portion of the roof on fire. Gentle explained that they were able to contain the fire, which destroyed 10 small stalls and damaged a few more.

According to reports, the accused and her partner were embroiled in a domestic dispute, which led to the suspect setting the stalls on fire.