Abandoned Berbice government building destroyed by fire

A fire destroyed an abandoned government building in Berbice, Region Six, late on Saturday, authorities said.

The blaze broke out around 21:30 hrs at the former Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS) complex, which previously housed the Probation and Public Assistance, Childcare and Domestic Violence units, the Labour Office, and the Child Counselling Centre. No injuries were reported.

The offices had been vacated several months ago. Three fire tenders responded to the scene and contained the fire.

The three-storey building, once a major hub for social services, had long been criticised for unsafe conditions. Former employees described it as a “danger zone,” citing years of deterioration, outdated facilities and faulty electrical wiring, including persistent low-voltage problems.

Authorities said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, though vagrants may have been responsible.

Despite the loss, residents and former staff expressed relief that the building was unoccupied at the time of the fire.