Following news reports from of a fire that has left the region in shock on Sunday (May 21), the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) have determined the cause of the fire is believed to be a malicious act by a student.

It is believed that the student who in a fit of anger after having her phone confiscated, ignited the flames at the southwest end of the Mahdia Secondary School female dormitory building, which caused the dormitory to become engulfed in flames within a matter of minutes.

The fire has claimed the lives of 19 children on Sunday night. The Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken, announced that DNA tests would be conducted promptly to confirm the identities of the deceased, with autopsies having already been carried out on six of the victims.

Amidst the devastation, the focus has shifted towards the survivors, with 29 girls being rushed to the Mahdia Hospital for immediate medical attention. Nine of the injured girls were subsequently airlifted to Georgetown for specialized treatment, as they sustained severe burn injuries in the blaze.

The investigation into this heart-wrenching incident remains ongoing, with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) assuming responsibility for the case. Commissioner Hicken has reassured the public that a swift and thorough investigation will be conducted, promising to provide updates through an official press release once the investigation concludes.