A two-storey abandoned wooden building at the corner of Pilot Street and Strand in New Amsterdam, Berbice, was destroyed by fire in the early hours of Friday, just hours after the New Amsterdam Town Council publicly declared the structure unfit for habitation.

On Thursday, the Town Council had posted a photograph of the dilapidated building on social media, warning residents that it was unsafe and unfit for dwelling. Shortly after the post, the owner contacted the Council, and the matter was discussed. However, in the pre-dawn hours of Friday, flames engulfed the building, threatening nearby properties and prompting an urgent response from the local fire service.

Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald reported that firefighters arrived at the scene around 4:50 a.m. to find the abandoned house fully ablaze. Two fire tenders and an ambulance were immediately dispatched. Thanks to the swift action of the fire crews, the blaze was contained, and only minor damage was reported to the ceiling and windows of an adjacent building. “Thanks to prompt intervention, fire crews managed to bring the situation under control and prevent the flames from causing extensive damage to adjacent buildings,” McDonald said.

Following an initial investigation, fire officials concluded 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 stated. The case has now been handed over to the police, who are treating it as suspected arson.

The incident has reignited concerns about the risks posed by abandoned and unfit buildings in residential areas, as well as the challenges authorities face in enforcing safety standards before tragedy strikes. The New Amsterdam Town Council and fire officials are urging residents to report unsafe structures and remain vigilant as investigations continue.