Smoke from a garbage fire near the Canje Bridge backed up traffic on Friday afternoon as flames spread through dry vegetation and came within about 100 metres of the National Communications Network (NCN) building. Firefighters brought the blaze under control before it reached the building.

Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald told Ignite News at the scene that the Guyana Fire Service received the call around 4:55 p.m. The fire had already spread by the time the first crew arrived, and two more fire tenders were called in.

McDonald said the flames also threatened a nearby antenna and its support cables. All three fire units based in New Amsterdam were deployed, with 14 firefighters responding. Staff from a nearby estate and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council helped, while tenders at Rose Hall and Anville remained on standby for other emergencies.

The fire was one of several grass and bush fires reported across the Berbice division in recent days. McDonald said crews spent several hours battling a blaze that spread towards buildings in Litchfield, West Coast Berbice. Other fires were reported at Budhan Scheme in West Canje and near a poultry farm in the Onverwagt area.

McDonald urged residents to stop burning rubbish and setting fires in dry vegetation. He said these fires can spread quickly in dry conditions, threaten property and tie up crews needed elsewhere.

“Persons who are burning garbage and setting fires in these areas can cause damages; you can cause massive destruction. You’re pulling the resources of the Guyana Fire Service,” he said.