AN abandoned building at Ogle Airstrip Road on the East Coast of Demerara went up in flames at around 21:30hrs on Sunday.

It is unclear how the wooden two-storey structure caught afire. However, residents, in the area, upon seeing the flames, summoned the Guyana Fire Service. Though arriving within minutes, firefighters were unable to save the building.

The Fire Service Operations Officer (ag) Andrew Holder told Guyana Chronicle that while the fire fighters managed to contain the blaze, access to water had proven to be a challenge.

The firefighters responded to the scene of the fire with two fire tenders. The Guyana Prison Service fire tender was also summoned to the scene.

Holder told this newspaper that the origin of the fire is unknown. An investigation has been launched.