Arson suspected in Stanleytown fire that destroyed house, car 

A house and a car were destroyed by fire in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) on Wednesday, and authorities are treating it as a case of arson.

Keith Chester, a resident of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, told reporters that he left his home at about 20:00 hrs on Wednesday to attend a wake nearby. Just 30 minutes later, he received the shocking news that his property was engulfed in flames. He rushed back immediately.

“When I meet home, my neighbour and them run and out the car and the fire reel come and out the house. So them burn up the car and the fire burn up the ceiling, all upstairs burn up,” Chester stated.

The New Amsterdam Fire Station was alerted, and firefighters responded swiftly to control the blaze.

Chester recalled a similar incident from three years ago when someone attempted to set his house on fire while he was away. He disclosed that he was contacted about that fire as well, but found his property completely destroyed upon his return.

“Is nah nobody far, is somebody from right around the area because nobody far wouldn’t come and do this Is somebody from not far, is right around here try to burn down me house because they see I progressing all the time,” he said.

Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald told News Room that it is believed that the fire was intentionally set, and investigations are ongoing.