In a shocking development, a high-ranking official in Guyana revealed on Tuesday that investigators suspect a Guyana student was responsible for the Guyana dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 19 individuals, predominantly female students who were trapped in a school dormitory. It was allegedly motivated by the student's anger over the confiscation of her phone.

Among those injured in the incident was the suspect herself, according to National Security Adviser Gerald Gouveia. He disclosed that the Guyana student suspected of the arson had previously faced disciplinary action from the dormitory supervisor due to having a relationship with an older man.

Gouveia revealed that the student had made threats to set fire to the entire residence hall, which tragically became a reality when she ignited a blaze in a restroom, AP reports.

Gouveia explained that the house mother had locked the doors of the girls' dormitory for the night. However, the fire rapidly spread through the structure, fueled by the combustible combination of wood, concrete, and iron grilles.

The Guyana student, believed to be approximately 14 years old, suffered severe injuries in the fire and is being treated at a local hospital. Leslie Ramsammy, an advisor to the health ministry, stated that she is expected to be discharged from the hospital this week and will subsequently be placed in juvenile detention until she reaches the age of 18.

"She did this out of love for them. She felt she was forced to do so because many leave the building at night to socialize," Gouveia said.

"This is a very sad situation, but the state is going to work with the students and the families to provide all the support they need," he added.

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What Happened During the Guyana Dormitory Fire?

A devastating fire engulfed a large wooden building in Mahdia, a central town in Guyana, where 57 students resided, resulting in a heartbreaking loss of life. The fire is believed to have originated in a restroom and rapidly spread throughout the structure, BBC noted.

Survivors who managed to escape the flames recounted the harrowing experience of hearing cries for help during the night. Sadly, the dormitory's administrator, who tragically lost her five-year-old son in the fire, reportedly became overwhelmed and misplaced the keys to the building during the chaotic events.

Reports indicate that firefighters faced significant challenges while rescuing trapped residents. In some instances, they resorted to breaking down walls desperately to reach those trapped inside. However, adverse weather conditions could have improved the initial progress in containing the blaze.

In addition to the devastating loss of life, several individuals sustained injuries, with most of the victims being indigenous girls. Numerous injured individuals were transported to hospitals across the country, including those in Georgetown, where some remain in critical condition.

The magnitude of the fire's destruction was so severe that local media sources have revealed that DNA testing became necessary to confirm the identities of some of the victims.

President Irfaan Ali Declares National Mourning Period Following Tragic Guyana Dormitory Fire

President Irfaan Ali has declared three days of national mourning in response to the devastating fire that struck the Guyana dormitory.

Expressing deep anguish and pain, Ali referred to the incident as a major disaster, per Al Jazeera.

He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragedy in a press release.

Taking immediate action, Ali has personally met with some grieving parents, offering his support and solidarity during this difficult time.

The Mahdia Secondary School is approximately 320 kilometers (200 miles) south of the capital city of Georgetown.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Fire razes school dormitory in Guyana, killing at least 19 children, many of them Indigenous - From WGN News