A fire of unknown origin on Thursday destroyed a three-storey building owned by insurance company, Nalico/Nafico, in New Amsterdam, Berbice.
According to a statement from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), investigators are probing the fire which occurred at around 12:15hrs on Thursday at Independence Road in New Amsterdam Berbice.

It was stated that a team of police officers, including Superintendent Stanley, Deputy Superintendent Delph, Assistant Superintendent Hooke, Inspector O’Donoghue, Inspector Seeram, Detective Corporal Moses and other ranks, responded to the scene where they found that the fire completely destroyed an abandoned three-storey, wooden and concrete structure owned by the insurance company.

Reports indicated that at around 12:18hrs, passersby noticed smoke emanating from the structure, which was already partially engulfed in flames.
Subsequent to this, the New Amsterdam Fire Service, led by Divisional Commander McDonald, responded swiftly, and he and other fire officials worked to contain the blaze which was eventually extinguished.

According to the statement, during the fire, the Church View Hotel, located nearby, sustained partial damage, and three water tanks were destroyed.

Investigators received information that a mentally ill man is suspected of setting fires there on two previous occasions. Authorities attempted to locate the individual, described as a Guyanese male of African descent, but he was not found.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.