The Nurses Hostel at Charles Place, New Amsterdam, was on Saturday destroyed by fire of unknown origin.
The building opposite the old New Amsterdam Hospital was not occupied at the time of the fire but has been a
The 50-year-old building on fire
landmark for the 270-year-old town.
Reports are that about 13:30h smoke was seem emanating from the upper flat of the two-storied building, which is more than 50 years old, and was previously used as nurses quarters.
An eyewitness told Guyana Times that after smoke was seen in the building the fire service, a mere three minutes away, was summoned.
Firemen initially encountered problems acquiring water and as such sought help from the Rosehall Estate Fire truck. Firefighters took under fifteen minutes to contain the blaze and were able to prevent it from spreading.
Meanwhile, this newspaper was told that the building is at times occupied by vagrants.
The building, which was used to accommodate nurses who live in remote areas but attached to the NA Hospital, was closed about a decade ago.
Two weeks ago the first step to rehabilitate the building was taken when contractors were asked to submit estimates to rehabilitate the building. On Saturday, one midwife Marilyn Tinnie, who once stayed at the hostel, expressed regret over the destruction of the building. Investigations are continuing.
