Two weeks after a devastating fire gutted a section of the Critchlow Labour College in Georgetown, the General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis, said the union strongly believes that the fire was an act of arson. The College is owned by the GTUC, which was headquartered at the same location.

In a statement shortly after dousing the blaze, the Guyana Fire Service indicated that from its early investigations, it appeared as though the fire was triggered by the overheating of old electrical panels.

But the GTUC General Secretary today said there were no signs that the fire was ignited close to any of the electrical panels or close to any electrical wiring.

“The electrical panel is still in place and was never burnt. It becomes now a common feature of our Fire Department to say everything is electrical. We have checked with the assistance with people who are competent in those areas, and we have seen where what is said to us is that where a fire starts, that’s the area that would be totally destroyed. The area that is totally destroyed is not an area that electrical wires are. It started on a floor,” Lewis said.

Mr. Lewis said since the blaze, the Critchlow Labour College has not heard from the Guyana Fire Service about its investigations and the cause of the fire.

Despite disagreeing on the cause of the fire, Lewis thanked the Fire Service for its swift response in containing the blaze.

The fire destroyed the entire auditorium of the Woolford Avenue college. The western side of the building sustained water damage.

Lewis said the Government has offered to assist in the rebuilding efforts, and the GTUC and the College are grateful for that commitment.

“We extend our gratitude to all who have shown support and concern during this difficult time. A special thank you to President Irfaan Ali for reaching out and committing to help the college rebuild. GTUC is in the process of submitting the necessary documentation to aid in the restoration efforts. Like the phoenix, Critchlow Labour College will rise again,” Lewis said.

The Critchlow Labour College is owned by the GTUC. It was established in 1967, and has been the cornerstone of workers’ education in Guyana. It was named after Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, who was the father of the trade union movement in Guyana.

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