Arson suspected as unoccupied buildings burn across Berbice

Mar 19, 2026 News

– citizens urged to be on the lookout

(Kaieteur News) – A worrying pattern of fires destroying abandoned buildings across Berbice has triggered concern among authorities, who now suspect that many of these incidents are being deliberately set.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has reported a noticeable surge in fires since the start of 2026, particularly within Division ‘B’ (Berbice/Regions Five and Six), with several cases concentrated in New Amsterdam and surrounding Canje communities.

Divisional Officer Clive McDonald, speaking during a media engagement on Wednesday, revealed that investigations have uncovered a troubling trend, that many of the fires involve unoccupied structures and appear to have been intentionally set.

“I am making a clarion call to persons within the New Amsterdam, Canje, Palmyra areas,” McDonald said. “We’ve noticed an increase in building fires within these areas, and these fires are being set by persons unknown. They are targeting unoccupied structures.”

Arson suspected as unoccupied buildings burn across Berbice

Divisional Officer Clive McDonald

Residents living near abandoned or derelict buildings are being urged to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to the Guyana Police Force or the fire service, as investigations continue.

Authorities also reminded the public that the willful or malicious burning of property is a criminal offence, warning that joint operations between the fire service and police will be intensified to identify and prosecute those responsible.

In New Amsterdam alone, firefighters responded to 12 fires involving abandoned buildings up to the end of the first quarter. Eleven of those incidents involved privately owned properties, while the remaining case was linked to a former government building located on Princess Elizabeth Road, which once housed several ministries. That fire, officials said, was caused by an electrical issue, while the others are believed to have been deliberately started.

Data for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) shows a sharp increase in fire calls this year. January recorded 28 incidents compared to 26 last year, February jumped dramatically to 73 from 16, and March rose to 32 from 20—representing increases of 27%, 73% and 31% respectively.

Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) also recorded fluctuations. January saw a slight decrease from three incidents last year to one this year, but February and March climbed to 13 and 15 fires respectively, up from five and three during the same period in 2025.

Meanwhile, McDonald cautioned residents about the ongoing dry season, noting an increase in grass fires. He urged persons clearing land or disposing of dry vegetation to do so responsibly.

“Burn in small quantities, supervise it, and ensure that it is properly extinguished before leaving,” he advised.

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Abandoned buildings, Arson, Berbice, Clive McDonald, fires

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