UPDATE: Arson now suspected in Church Hall fire

Investigators now believe that the early Sunday morning fire at Church Hall, Durban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, may have been an act of arson.

According to a release by the Ministry of Home Affairs, surveillance of the church hall located at Lot 27 Durban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, was reviewed, and the footage shows an individual wearing a hood entering the premises at approximately 04:48 hrs, shortly before the fire was reported. The fire service was alerted at about 05:20 hrs.

An initial release stated that it was believed that the fire was electrical.

The property is owned by Juan Edghill, the Minister of Public Works. The building’s structure and contents were extensively damaged by the fire. However, there have not been any reports of injured persons as a result of the incident.

The investigation is ongoing, and the person or persons found culpable will face the full “brunt of the law,” according to the ministry’s release.

Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the authorities. The public is also urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.