Mahdia tragedy: First funeral to be held Wednesday

19 persons perished in the fire which started at around 23:40hrs Sunday.

A Guyana Fire Service (GFS) investigation has concluded that the fire was maliciously set by a student, who was upset after her phone was taken away over objections by the school that she was engaging in matters dangerous to her well-being with an adult.

An estimated 56 children were housed in the dormitory.

The school housed girls from Mahdia, Campbelltown, Micobie, El Paso and several other villages in the North Pakaraimas in Region 8.