A section of L’Aventure Secondary School, at Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara, was destroyed by fire on Wednesday.
The morning blaze, suspected to have been electrical in origin on the third day of the new term, displaced 699 students.
Headmistress Althea Stewart, speaking with Guyana Times International said she was at the Ministry of Education office in Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara when she was informed, by telephone, of the occurrence.
The distressed woman said she hurried there and observed that the building was engulfed and the lone female night security guard was off duty.
Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam told reporters, at the location, that the flames were first seen about 07:30 hrs but not many students or teachers were present.
He said the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was alerted and responded in good time to contain the conflagration which ripped through the middle part of the two-storey wooden edifice.
Mr. Sam said teachers and others were still trying to ascertain what caused it but they are leaving the investigations to the GFS.
Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle said the GFS is working with the Regional Electrical Inspector to ascertain the origin but noted that, within the past 48 hours, the area has been experiencing some electrical power fluctuations which may have trigged the conflagration.
Other reports said the school had an electricity problem which was reported but not addressed.
