New Amsterdam man perishes after fire guts home

Apr 05, 2014 News

A New Amsterdam resident lost his life after he was badly burned in a fire which engulfed his home at Levi’s Dam Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice at around 19:45 hrs on Thursday.

The charred interior of the house.

Prince Sinclair, 38, called “Black boy,” died early yesterday morning at the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was being treated.
Sinclair had occupied the upper flat of the wooden two story building, while another man lived in the bottom flat.
The tenant, who was out when the fire started, said that Sinclair was ill and was also semi-paralysed.
Sinclair’s flat lacked the most basic amenities and he slept on a mattress spread on the floor.
The victim was also a heavy smoker and drinker and there are reports that he fell asleep with a lighted cigarette. However, another source claimed that Sinclair was depressed and lit himself on fire. He was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was admitted and died a few hours after.
The Guyana Fire Service responded with two fire trucks and managed to contain the fire to the inside of the building.
A Fire Service official said investigators are treating the incident as a case of suicide.