Unfit building burns down hours after Town Council warning

An abandoned building at Pilot Street and Strand in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six, was destroyed by fire in the wee hours of Friday, May 9. The fire completely destroyed this abandoned two-storey wooden house, and partially damaged the ceiling and windows of the neighbouring building.
On Thursday, May 8, the New Amsterdam Town Council had warned the owner that the building was unfit for dwelling, and had posted a photograph of the building with a caption saying that it was unfit for dwelling.
Moments later, the owner had made contact with the Town Council, and the issue had been discussed.

Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald told the media that at about 4:50hrs on Friday, information was received about the fire, and two tenders and an ambulance were immediately dispatched to the scene.
“Upon arrival, firefighters observed a dwelling building fully engulfed in flames, with the fire threatening to spread to a neighbouring structure,” McDonald detailed as he added that fighters acted swiftly to contain the blaze and protect nearby properties from further destruction.
“Thanks to prompt intervention, fire crews managed to bring the situation under control and prevent the flames from causing extensive damage to adjacent buildings. While the nearby building sustained minor damage, the situation could have been far worse without the timely response,” the fire officer pointed out.
Fire officials have concluded, following their initial investigation, that the blaze was not accidental.
“There is no electricity in the building. It’s unoccupied, so there is no natural source that could have caused the fire. Based on the scene analysis and the dynamics of the fire, we have deemed it malicious,” McDonald explained.
The case has been handed over to the police for further investigation, and authorities are treating it as suspected arson.
Meanwhile, in addressing ongoing communication challenges, McDonald has acknowledged that the division’s main telephone line remains inactive.
“We are currently working with the service provider to restore the line, so the public can reach us more easily during emergencies,” he stated.
While emphasising the department’s commitment to preventing further incidents, McDonald noted that the New Amsterdam Fire Station can be contacted by the regular landline number.
“The telephone, as was previously announced, is back in working order, 333-226-01. However, the 912 line is still inactive, and we are working with the company involved to have that service back, so that members of the public can be aware of this and can get onto the fire service within this division in case of emergency,” McDonald said.