FIRE swept through the Providence Canefields, East Bank Berbice, just after 19:30hrs on Thursday evening.

The blaze was seen over a half mile away and while the Guyana Fire Service responded in a timely manner, their limited access to water forced them to leave the scene prematurely without fully extinguishing the blaze.

Nearby residents who were threatened by the billowing smoke expressed concern over the suspected arson.

The Guyana Fire Service is investigating the cause of the blaze.