Cops suspect arson in Chaguanas school blaze

Chaguanas Fire Station officials will return to the scene today to ascertain exactly what caused the blaze, and its point of origin. The value of the damage could not be determined yesterday. No students were hurt.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Central Division), Carl Scipio, said firefighters of both the Chaguanas and Couva stations were hampered in their efforts to contain the blaze because there was no water in the nearby hydrant. The hydrant is situated just outside of the school’s compound on Helen Street, Chaguanas. "By the time we got there, the 150 feet by 50 foot concrete building was already gutted by flames. We attempted to retrieve water from the fire hydrant, but realised it was dry," Scipio said.

Scipio said an emergency call was made to the Water and Sewerage Authority informing them of the situation. He added that WASA dispatched a 2,400-litre water tanker to the scene.

According to a police report, the fire started around 2.25 pm in the Vocational/ Technical Department on the western side of the school’s building. It housed a woodworking shop, hairdressing station, home economics and tailoring sections.

Scipio said that the Tech/Voc Department housed combustible items which contributed to the raging flames. "There were a lot of plastic items, cloth, wood shavings and stationery which quickly caught ablaze. However, our firemen, within two hours, were able to extinguish the flames. Nothing was salvaged."

Investigations into the fire are continuing.