Stephen Fokké warns of possible damage to historical graves after a fire broke out at Oranjetuin in Paramaribo on Wednesday afternoon. The fire started during cleaning work and is said to have spread while Brazilian bees were being controlled.
Stephen Fokké, UNESCO Site Manager and closely involved in the cleaning of Oranjetuin, says that earlier on Wednesday, September 2, he had explicitly indicated that no burning was allowed on the site. A few hours later, a fierce fire nevertheless broke out in Oranjetuin during the work. According to the information he received on site, things went wrong while Brazilian bees were being controlled among the graves and dense vegetation.
High flames spread across parts of the heavily overgrown site. The fire brigade was deployed and worked to bring the fire under control as quickly as possible and prevent it from spreading further. This was eventually successful. By Wednesday evening, it was not yet fully clear whether gravestones, wooden grave posts or other historical elements had been damaged by fire or heat.
At the time of the fire, detainees were cleaning up the old cemetery. The work has been progressing with difficulty for some time, because vegetation is very dense in many places. It is also known that Brazilian bees are present among the graves. According to those involved, that combination makes the site difficult to access and requires extra caution when removing shrubs, branches and other greenery.
Oranjetuin fire worries heritage expert
Fokké is particularly concerned about the possible effects of fire on the historical graves. “Fire is not good for the graves. There are wooden grave posts among them,” he says. Even when the flames do not directly hit a grave, the high temperature can cause damage, according to him. Old gravestones, masonry and wooden parts are vulnerable and can be permanently affected by an incorrect approach.
Cleaning of cemetery remains complicated
Oranjetuin is currently being cleaned step by step. Fokké says he is present at the site about every other day to supervise the work. Over the years, the vegetation has grown so extensively that he describes the place as an “urban forest”. As a result, graves and other historical objects can be completely hidden from view.
Trees also pose a threat. Some grow from or close beside graves and can damage grave structures with their roots. According to Fokké, these trees are pruned and then killed with pesticides. Simply pulling the roots from the ground is not a responsible solution, according to him, because this could pull loose or further damage parts of graves.
Fire is not good for the graves. There are wooden grave posts among them.
Historical graves must remain visible
Fokké stresses that the work is intended precisely to make the historical value of Oranjetuin visible again. According to him, the oldest graves are located on either side of the central path. Due to the dense vegetation, many grave monuments are currently barely visible. Careful cleaning can help make the site accessible again without causing further damage to the heritage, he says.
The heritage expert also disputes the notion that Oranjetuin was exclusively a cemetery for wealthy people or for one population group. The cemetery went through various phases over the centuries and later became a general cemetery. According to Fokké, Chinese and Hindustanis from earlier periods are also buried there. The site thus reflects different parts of the history of Paramaribo and Suriname.
Vandalism has already caused damage
Not all damage at Oranjetuin is the result of nature and deferred maintenance. According to Fokké, several graves were damaged in the past by vandals looking for jewellery or other valuable objects. As a result, grave structures were broken open and monuments damaged. The current cleaning is therefore taking place at a location where part of the historical material is already vulnerable or damaged.
The incident involving the Oranjetuin fire once again highlights that vulnerability. At an old cemetery, a measure intended to solve a practical problem, such as controlling bees or removing vegetation, can have unexpected consequences for grave monuments. Fokké therefore advocates a method in which protection of the graves always takes priority.
Oranjetuin can gain tourist and educational value
Despite the current condition of the site, Fokké sees opportunities for Oranjetuin to develop into an important historical and tourist location. According to him, visitors could learn about people and communities that have a place in the history of Suriname. For this, however, the cemetery must be safe, accessible and maintained in a responsible manner.
The attention for Oranjetuin is in line with the broader discussion on the preservation of Surinamese heritage. Key News recently reported on Heritage Month Suriname 2026, which focused specifically on preserving and passing on history and cultural heritage. The fire shows that heritage protection also depends on careful management at historical locations.
Oranjetuin fire affects site with centuries of history
The current Oranjetuin was established in 1756 and remained in use as a cemetery, with various periods of use, until 1961. The site is located between Dr. J.F. Nassylaan, Henck Arronstraat and Swalmbergstraat. The place forms part of the historical cityscape of Paramaribo, where buildings, streets and monuments together tell an important part of the development of the capital.
The historic inner city of Paramaribo has international heritage status. The website of UNESCO on the historic inner city of Paramaribo points, among other things, to the vulnerability of the heritage to fire and neglect. This is precisely why careful maintenance of historical sites in the capital is important, especially when work takes place around old wood, stone and other vulnerable materials.
Wednesday’s fire is under control, but the consequences for the cemetery have yet to become clear. For Fokké, it is certain that the cleaning of Oranjetuin must continue, but with maximum attention to the graves and other historical elements. The challenge is to make the site accessible again without causing new damage to the centuries-old heritage in the process.
