Sybert Chang (right), teacher at Excelsior High School, Mountain View Avenue, Kingston, and students Kelly-Ann Joseph (left) and Krystal Christie, try to salvage whatever they can from the rubble of a fire which destroyed the staff room at the institution Tuesday night. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer FIRE BELIEVED to be the work of arsonists destroyed the staff room at the Excelsior High School, Mountain View Avenue, East Kingston on Tuesday.
The blaze was reportedly spotted by passersby who alerted the Fire Brigade.
According to the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), the fire, which started about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, was limited to the staff room which was destroyed. Everything was lost, including examination papers, textbooks, teaching aids and students' School Based Assessments (SBAs) for the upcoming Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) exams. Appliances including a television set, computers, and fans and furniture were also destroyed.
The staff speculate that the fire was a deliberate act as the Fire Brigade personnel reportedly smelled gasolene on arrival at the scene.
The CCN said the cost of damage has not yet been ascertained. It is not known whether the building or its contents were insured.
The incident has left the over 85 members of the teaching staff at the institution in a pensive mood.
"No one in their right mind could have conceived a thought of destroying a building that educates children. It is a disgrace, it is devastating, I can hardly find words to express (myself)," said a senior member of staff who wished to remain anonymous. She noted that this will adversely affect operations at the institution especially those children whose projects and SBAs got burnt in the flames. The staff room accommodates over 80 teachers.
The police have not yet established a motive for the fire.
