…1 blaze suspected to be arson

Two separate house fires in Berbice have left nine people homeless, with preliminary investigations suggesting one may have been deliberately set while the other was likely caused by an unattended rubbish fire. According to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), firefighters from the New Amsterdam Fire Station responded to reports of a house fire at Lot 55 Winkle Road, New Amsterdam, where they found a wooden and concrete building completely engulfed in flames. Firefighters immediately began firefighting operations and contained the blaze to the affected property, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings. However, the house and all of its contents were destroyed. A motorcycle, an electric bike and a generator located in the yard were also destroyed.

Seven people have been displaced by the fire. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been deliberately set, the fire service said. Investigations are continuing. In a separate incident, firefighters responded to a report of a house fire at Water Street, Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice (WCB).