Federation records high increase in fire incidents
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
~~Adz:Left~~ BASSETERRE, St. Kitts -- Statistics of the incidences of fire in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis have shown a considerable increase in the 2007 figure over that of 2006.
According to Everette O’Garro, Fire Station Officer (Stn) attached to Basseterre Fire Department, in 2007 there were 606 reported fires which marks a 34.7 percent increase from the previous year’s 450 incidents. In 2006 Nevis recorded 98 fires and 119 in 2007 while St. Kitts recorded 352 and 487 in 2006 and 2007 respectively.
He further informed that most of the 2007 fires were brush fires which occurred in the early part of the year. Of the 487 fires reported in St. Kitts, a whopping 88.9 percent of them were brush fires and 72.27 percent of the 119 reported in Nevis were brush fires.
He said this is cause for concern as these incidents put undue strain on the resources of the Fire Department and increases the difficulty of responding to other incidences of fire.
“We are again appealing to persons to desist from the practice of setting brush fires because it is a dangerous one. Not only is it a dangerous one, but it also puts life and property at risk. It can be very difficult when fighting brush fires to respond to a house fire. It is easier, however, to respond immediately to a house fire having not had to deal with a brush fire. I am asking all to take heed and refrain from setting brush fires.”
O’Garro also reminded that the setting of a brush fire is classified as an act of arson.
