Mere hours after the New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council publicly raised concerns about a derelict building at the corner of Pilot and Strand in New Amsterdam, the structure was engulfed in flames early this morning in what fire officials are describing as a malicious act.
In a post made on its official Facebook page on Thursday, the council shared a photo of the building with a caption stating, “Building dangerous or unfit for human habitation,” while urging the property owner to contact the council’s engineering department.
However, around 6:00 a.m. today, fire service personnel were dispatched to the location following a report of a fire. Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald confirmed that upon arrival, firefighters found the structure already consumed by flames and threatening nearby buildings.
“Our crews quickly sprang into action to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading,” McDonald stated. “One nearby building did sustain slight damage to the eaves and facing boards, but due to the swift response, further destruction was avoided.”
McDonald further revealed that the building was unoccupied and had no electricity supply. Based on the absence of any internal ignition sources and observations from the fire dynamics, investigators have concluded that the fire was deliberately set.
“This fire has been deemed malicious in nature,” he confirmed. “There is no evidence of any accidental ignition, and all indicators point to it being intentionally lit.”
Authorities are continuing their investigation, and the New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council is urging anyone with information to come forward.
