Investigators at the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) have concluded that the fires which gutted three public buildings including the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) office in Linden early last week were deliberately set, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle said.
Stabroek News understands that the reports were handed over to the police, who are responsible for investigating.
Up to yesterday, no arrest was made.
The Police commanders of the two respective divisions; Regions 2 and 10 told Stabroek News that while the suspect/s are yet to be apprehended, the investigations are ongoing.
“We are still on working it. No arrests has been made as yet,” Commander of Region 2 Crystal Robinson said.
Meanwhile, Commander of Region 10 Hugh Winter said “we are still investigating”.
Within hours last Monday morning, three buildings- the GECOM office at Wismar, Linden, an unoccupied Army Base of the Second Infantry Battalion, Maria’s Lodge, Essequibo and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office at Anna Regina, Essequibo were destroyed by fire.
In a press statement last week, de facto Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan had said that preliminary investigations found that the fires were acts of arson.
“……..Preliminary reports from the security forces point to arson in each case, this development is most unfortunate,” the statement said.
In light of the increase in fire at public buildings, Ramjattan had asked for more patrols in every policing division across the country.
“The Minister of Public Security requested that more security personnel be dedicated to more frequent patrols in every division……We can ill-afford any further loss of valuable assets. I therefore call on all citizens to cooperate with our security forces by assisting to safeguard both public and private property. If you see something, say something,” the statement added.
The Ministry had added that at that point, it couldn’t conclude whether any of the fire were “politically directed or motivated”.
At a press conference last Monday, Ramjattan had said that the Disciplined Services and citizens have been urged to “keep an eye out” for potential arsonists.
He stated that Joint Services have been on “high alert” since the March 2nd elections.
