Student suspected of deadly fire at school over confiscated phone 

A fatal fire at a school dormitory may have been started by a student who was angry that her mobile phone had been confiscated earlier in the day, according to Guyana officials. The fire started in the early hours of Monday, killing 19 – mostly female students. The dormitory was reportedly locked with covered windows which trapped the victims inside. 

The suspect, a teenage girl, has reportedly admitted to starting the fire and remains in hospital with burns. A government source says authorities are seeking guidance on whether to press charges against her. 

The fire started in the bathroom and rapidly engulfed the entire partially wooden structure, where 57 students were housed. Survivors recounted being awakened by screams during the tragic incident.

According to an Associated Press report, the girl had purportedly made threats after facing disciplinary action due to her involvement with an older man.

President Irfaan Ali has declared the incident a “major disaster.”