Fire destroys former Gov’t building in New Amsterdam

A fire, suspected to be electrical in origin, engulfed a building that previously housed multiple government agencies on Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam, Berbice, on Saturday night.

Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald told the News Room that the New Amsterdam Fire Station was alerted to the blaze at around 21:16h.

In response, two fire units were swiftly dispatched to the scene to contain the fire’s spread. McDonald said when the crew arrived on scene, firefighters found the two-story wooden and concrete structure completely engulfed in flames.

“Immediately, the crew went into action to suppress and stop the fire from further spreading to any structures that were nearby,” he said.

The intense flames drew a crowd, with many onlookers watching as firefighters battled the blaze.

McDonald also mentioned that fire stations in Rose Hall Town and Corriverton were placed on standby to provide assistance if required.

He said preliminary investigations suggest that the fire originated from an electrical source.

The building once served as the offices for the Ministries of Social Protection, Labour, and Agriculture for many years.

However, several months ago, these agencies were relocated, leaving the building secured but unoccupied.