Building goes up in flames after security attempts to torch snake

A Corentyne, Berbice building went up in flames on Tuesday afternoon after security personnel reportedly attempted to torch a snake.

The fire was reportedly seen coming from the building at about 13:30h. Persons rushed to the scene and alerted the guard, who said that he had seen a snake and lit the fire to chase it away and went to the guard hut.
He reportedly fell asleep.
It was after thick black smoke was seen and persons arrived on the scene that the guard realised that the building was on fire.

Dried canals in the area presented a challenge for firefighters who had no water source, hence the fire spread to a vacant plot of land situated across the street. However, the firefighters managed to control the blaze. The building was being used as an administrative office but no one has been working there for more than a year. However, the company still has items in the building and containers in the yard.
The compound was initially owned and operated by the Regional Administration but according to Regional Chairman David Armogan, a private company had taken up space there since the Administration had been experiencing difficulty maintaining the building which had become unoccupied for years.
Police have since taken the security guard into custody for questioning.