With an investigation still underway into the January 1 2022, Georgetown Public Hospital Cardiac Unit fire, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said investigators are awaiting an analysis report from the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL).
Providing an update to Stabroek News on Friday, Blanhum said when the report is completed and uplifted by investigators, further investigation will take place. After which, he said they will forward the case file to the Office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.
Stabroek News understands that the GFSL is conducting an analysis to determine the type of chemical used in the fire.
The laboratory has already confirmed for the Guyana Fire Service that the early morning blaze at the hospital was deliberately set.
The fire caused some $25 million worth of damage, along with the destruction of the public health system’s lone Electrocardiography (ECG) laboratory.
A doctor was questioned as part of the investigation and released on station bail. At the time of the fire, that doctor had been suspended from work following allegations of sexual harassment brought by a staff member. The doctor was eventually fired from the hospital.
Leading up to the fire, camera footage showed the doctor in the vicinity of the ECG laboratory. However, since he had been suspended, he was not supposed to be on duty or in the area of the laboratory.
The GFS had said that Water Tenders #102, #105, #106, and #112 from the Central, Campbellville, and Alberttown fire stations were summoned to the hospital at about 05.24 hrs on January 1.
The fire occurred in the ECG room, which is located on the first floor of the GPH and the entire room was severely damaged. However, the prompt response of the GFS resulted in the containment of the blaze, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the hospital.
Former fire chief Kalamadeen Edoo had said that based on the extent of damage, the fire started approximately 30 to 45 minutes prior to persons becoming aware of it.
“What happened there was after all the oxygen in the room would have been consumed that is when it started to smoke and persons became aware of it. The fire was dying down at that point leaving the smoke to escape through vents,” Edoo explained, adding that the confinement of the blaze prevented the fire from spreading to the rest of the hospital.
He related that five 6.5kg CO2 fire extinguishers were used to put out the fire in the laboratory and applauded his team for an “excellent” and swift response.
