A HORRIFIC fire at a school in Guyana which claimed the lives of 19 students appears to have been started deliberately, according to officials.

National Security Adviser Gerald Gouveia told the Associated Press, the school dormintory, at the Mahdia Secondary School, was deliberately set alight by a student who was upset that her mobile phone was taken away.

The teenage suspect – who was also injured in the blaze on Sunday – had reportedly been disciplined by school staff for having an affair with an older man.

According to the AP, the girl, who is about 14, will be released from hospital later this week.

She is expected to be held in juvenile detention until she is an adult.

The student allegedly threatened to torch the dorm – which was housing 57 pupils at the time – and later set a fire in a bathroom area, Mr Gouveia said.

The dorm was reportedly locked for the night by the form administrator and had covered windows which trapped the students.

Officials say the deadly fire has claimed the lives of 18 girls aged between 12 and 18.

The final victim was a five-year-old boy, who was the son of the dorm manager.

Acting Police Commissioner, Clifton Hicken said the police will “conclude this investigation swiftly.

Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Dwayne Scotland, said the Mahdia Fire Station received a call just after midnight on Sunday and it took firefighters four minutes to arrive on the scene but the building was already engulfed in flames.

Mr Scotland said the fire was lit in the south-western end of the building, which rapidly consumed the premises.

At least 29 children were taken to the Mahdia District Hospital, where five later died.

Another child reportedly died on her way to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The government of Guyana has declared three days of national mourning.

President Irfaan Ali said that the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all public buildings in honour of the children.

“I ask that as a nation we utilise the next three days as three days of prayers for these children, their families and the community,” Mr Ali said during a national broadcast.

The President of Guyana, described the incident as one of the “saddest days” in his life.

Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottely described the fire as “truly a tragedy beyond words.”

In an Instagram post, Ms Mottley wrote: “The news of the fire at the Mahdia Secondary School; in Guyana, which claimed the lives of 19 children late last night, is truly a tragedy beyond words.

“To His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the Government and the people of Guyana, on behalf of Barbados I offer my most sincere condolences and I offer our support to aid you during this difficult time.

“We are on region and one people. And we stand together in unity”

The PM’s post was later shared by Barbadian singer and business mogul Rihanna, who shared the link to Ms Mottley’s post in her Instagram stories, along with a praying emoji and the flag of Guyana.

Rihanna is believed to be of both Barbadian and Guyanese heritage.