New Amsterdam house destroyed by fire

Three individuals are now homeless after a fire completely destroyed their one-bedroom flat house on Thursday afternoon.

In an interview with reporters, Debra Timmers, 33, a self-employed resident of Mayor and Town Council Housing Scheme in New Amsterdam, Berbice, confirmed that she lived in the house with her son and common-law husband.

At approximately 14:30 hrs, Timmers left to visit her mother, who resides in Sisters Village, East Bank Berbice. Upon her return, she received the devastating news that her home was engulfed in flames.

When she arrived, it was evident that the entire structure had been reduced to ashes.

The New Amsterdam Fire Station, located nearby, was promptly contacted and dispatched to the scene.

Timmers emphasized that her son was not home at the time of the fire, but her partner was present.

She recounted a serious incident on October 25, 2024, during her birthday celebration, when an argument with her partner escalated to the point where he violently broke several items in the house. Her brother, present at the time, intervened, which resulted in a confrontation and scuffle. In the altercation, her brother had a cutlass, which her partner pulled on him, leading to an injury.

Following that incident, Timmers, her partner, and her brother attended the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning. They agreed to settle the matter after her partner issued threats.

Upon returning home, Timmers decisively instructed her partner to pack his belongings and leave her residence. She then visited the Central Police Station to file a report.

After completing her visit to the police station, she went to see her mother.

Upon returning home, she found that her partner had vanished.

“Everytime he ill treated me, me brother does pick up for me and that’s why we does get problem. So mommy just tell me brother let he go away. So when he taking advantage, is me alone. Ah gat to pick up and run with my son all hour in the night,” she revealed.

Timmers added,” after this incident, I will go and get a restraining order for him.”

Timmers highlighted that she had recently purchased beverages and groceries to stock and cook for her vending stall, all of which were tragically lost in the fire. She was preparing to start her roadside vending business and had a well-furnished home.

Berbice Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald confirmed to the News Room that the investigation showed the flames were ignited by combustible materials—specifically a kerosene stove that had been left unattended.