A Dominican Republic national – 31-year-old Luis De Los Santos, who faces arson charges, was denied bail when he appeared in the magistrate’s court on Thursday.
De Los Santos is accused of causing the fire which destroyed the Immigration Detention Centre, at Coolidge.
It was reported that at approximately 4:20 p.m. on Monday, 18 August 2025, the Police and Fire Department responded to a fire report at the Antigua Air Station Military Base, where the Immigration Detention Centre is housed.
On arrival they met two detention rooms engulfed in flames. Firefighters managed to extinguished the flames, averting further damage to existing buildings.
The accused, who was detained by the Immigration Department inside one of the units, was treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Bail was denied as De Los Santos is considered a flight risk.
