New Amsterdam house destroyed by fire, arson suspected

A two-story house was destroyed by fire at Penitentiary Walk, New Amsterdam in Region Six on Tuesday night. Berbice Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald told reporters that based on investigations conducted so far, the fire was maliciously set.

McDonald related that the New Amsterdam Fire Station received the call about the fire at approximately 21:53hrs. Two fire tenders responded and managed to extinguish the flames. The building was unoccupied at the time.

“Due to the good work of the ranks on duty, they stop the fire from spreading and contain it to the building. As a result of that, the building suffered severe damage,” he said.

According to McDonald, one eyewitness reported that two persons were seen entering the yard before the fire started.

Meanwhile, a reliable source informed the News Room that the previous tenants of both the upper and lower flats had vacated the property just a week prior.

According to the source, the flames appeared to originate from the back section of the house.

McDonald also noted that the building had no electricity at the time of the incident.

“Nothing much was inside the building. The combustible was very little,” he revealed.