Arson determined as cause of NA fire – forensic fire report
The fire which completely destroyed a building in downtown New Amsterdam, Berbice on Tuesday afternoon is believed to have been caused by an act of arson.
This is according to forensic fire investigators who concluded their initial probe on Wednesday. Station Officer and Second in Command at B Division Fire Department, Otis Charles told the media that the fire was deliberately set by a person or persons unknown.
The building on fire at Pitt Street, New Amsterdam
“The investigation is still ongoing,” he added.
The Tuesday afternoon blaze in the downtown area in the country’s oldest town left two persons homeless. Anthony Giddings, 43, called “Bighead”, was not at home when the fire started at the Lot 14-33 Pitt Street building and was unable to save anything. He told Guyana Times that earlier in the day, he and his reputed wife had an argument and he left home. It has been reported that shortly before flames were seen coming from the building, his reputed wife was at home and was visited by her son and his father. Giddings had lived in the building with his reputed wife for the past five months. The building had been unoccupied for some time before Giddings took up residence.
According to Charles, the Fire Service responded when they received the call, but from all indications, the fire was burning for some time before the call was made.
“On arrival, the entire building was completely engulfed with flames. We immediately started firefighting and brought the fire under control and subsequently extinguished it.”
At the time, there was no power supply to the building.
Meanwhile, Giddings told this publication on Wednesday that he has not seen his spouse since the fire. He said he made checks at her previous home and other locations, but could not locate her. The investigation is continuing.
