Fire Service spokesperson Olton Pinas warns about fire safety in Paramaribo’s city centre. According to him, during an investigation on Zwartenhovenbrugstraat, the fire service identified 28 buildings that are no longer in regular use but are occupied by homeless people. He said cooking also takes place in these buildings, which can create dangerous situations. The findings have been documented, but according to Pinas, concrete measures have not been taken.
The spokesperson made his statements on Friday, November 6, 2026, during a live interview with Key News at the burning landfill site in Charlesburg.
Pinas fears that the government will only take action when a serious disaster occurs. He pointed out that the fire service had already brought the risks to attention earlier.
“We put it on paper, but yes, when the calf has drowned, then we will look at how to fill in the well,” Pinas said.
Fire risk not limited to Charlesburg
According to Pinas, the fire at the landfill site in Charlesburg once again shows how vulnerable the fire service organisation is. During the firefighting operations, firefighters suddenly had to relocate because the wind changed direction. Tanker trucks also had to take up a different position.
Meanwhile, Korps Brandweer Suriname (Suriname Fire Service) is facing a shortage of personnel and deployable vehicles. Several fire engines are out of service, and the corps is confronted daily with a high number of reports of grass and rubbish fires.
Pinas warns that the continuous deployment could affect the availability of firefighters and vehicles if a serious fire occurs elsewhere.
Vacant buildings require urgent attention
According to the spokesperson, the buildings in the city centre in particular deserve additional attention. Besides Zwartenhovenbrugstraat, he also pointed to other streets where buildings are no longer regularly used.
According to him, these are buildings where people are staying and where open fires are sometimes used to prepare food.
The fire service investigated the situation and documented its findings. It was not clear during the interview which authorities received this information and what measures have been taken since then.
Previous fires show the risks
The danger of fire in abandoned or poorly maintained buildings is not unknown in Paramaribo. In July 2019, two buildings on Zwartenhovenbrugstraat were lost to fire. According to police, homeless people had been staying in the buildings.
In January 2024, two buildings at the corner of Commissarisstraat and Zwartenhovenbrugstraat were also affected by fire.
Pinas’s new warning therefore raises questions about supervision of buildings that are no longer regularly used but are nevertheless occupied.
Fire service calls for a structural approach
Pinas believes the government must look beyond tackling individual fires. According to him, policy is needed to prevent dangerous situations.
In addition to investments in personnel and vehicles, he advocates stricter enforcement against rubbish burning and greater attention to fire safety in society.
For the city centre, the main question remains what measures will be taken to address the risks identified by the fire service before another major fire occurs.
