FIRE of unknown origin destroyed a section of the abandoned match factory at Plantain Walk, West Bank Demerara, yesterday afternoon.

Two female guards attached to Roshan Khan Security Service, who were on duty there, told the Guyana Chronicle they observed thick smoke emanating from the building about 15:05 h and summoned the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).

They said, shortly after, a tender from the Leonora Station, West Coast Demerara, arrived on the scene and swiftly doused the flames.

The guards said they, usually, check the building and its environs every hour and the last time they did so before the blaze, they saw nothing suspicious.

The place was not receiving electricity that having been disconnected four days ago, said the duo, who were glad that firefighters were able to contain the fire.

The conflagration attracted curious onlookers including schoolchildren and there was speculation that scavengers in search of zinc sheets and scrap metal in the thick surrounding bushes may have lit something and the fire got out of control.