Woolford Avenue Blaze Ruled Arson: Police Probe Ongoing After GTU Facility Destroyed
By HGP Nightly News
Investigators have concluded that the devastating fire which gutted a multi-purpose educational building on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, last Thursday night was deliberately set.
A reliable source confirmed to Nightly News that fire investigators have officially ruled the blaze as arson, validating earlier suspicions that the fire was no accident. The findings have since been handed over to the Guyana Police Force for a full criminal investigation.
The fire broke out just before midnight on Thursday, engulfing a building that housed several key institutions including the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) headquarters, the University of Excellence, the School of Management and Business, and the Angela Applewhite-Hercules Canteen.
Five-Minute Response, But Too Late
Firefighters reportedly arrived on the scene within five minutes of receiving the alert. However, by that time, one section of the building was already fully consumed by flames, and the fire was spreading rapidly to adjacent areas. The blaze was so severe that an additional fire tender had to be deployed to contain the inferno.
Witnesses at the scene hinted early on that the fire may have been intentionally started, possibly linked to insurance motives. While unconfirmed, police have indicated they are exploring these claims as part of their broader investigation.
Adding further intrigue, a source noted there could be a possible connection between last week’s fire and another blaze at the same location earlier this year on May 22, which was blamed on an outdated electrical system. At that time, the GTU had pledged to upgrade the facility to prevent future incidents. It remains unclear how much of that work had been completed before last week’s disaster.
A Loss Beyond Brick and Mortar
In a statement, the GTU expressed profound sorrow over the loss of its historic facilities, especially the Critchlow Labour College, which had operated from the location for over 50 years.
“This destruction is more than the loss of buildings. It’s the loss of a legacy,” the GTU said.
The Critchlow Labour College had long been recognized as a pillar of accessible education, providing opportunities to thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life. Many former students and staff have taken to social media, sharing memories and voicing outrage that such a cornerstone of grassroots education could be the target of arson.
Despite the devastation, the GTU has vowed to cooperate fully with investigators and to begin the process of rebuilding.
Public Demands Transparency
As police continue their probe, questions remain: Why was the same location struck twice in just over two months? Who would benefit from the destruction? And most importantly, who is responsible?
The public is demanding full transparency and swift justice. Investigators have not yet named any suspects, and the motive remains under investigation.
