CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) — The St Lucia Fire Service (SLFS) has launched an investigation into the cause of a fire that destroyed the Folk Research Centre (FRC) which houses the most extensive collection of the island’s cultural artefacts and history.

The blaze on Sunday night destroyed the building that housed the FRC which was established in 1973 as a repository for cultural heritage, a vehicle for research, study, recording, and promulgating St Lucia’s rich heritage.

It housed an extensive library of publications, audio visual recordings and photographs, and is the major study centre for work carried out regarding St Lucia’s folk culture by both nationals and visiting researchers and students.

The SLFS said when they arrived on the scene the building was engulfed in flames and despite the best efforts of fire officers from Castries and far away as Gros-Islet, north of here, nothing could have been saved.

They said the cause of the fire is now under investigation.