Two fires in less than three hours
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
~~Adz:Left~~BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE quick thinking of good-willed neighbours prevented the home of a four-member family in St. Pauls from total destruction by fire.
SKNVibes understands that at about 7:16 on Tuesday evening the Fire and Rescue Services, Sandy Point branch, responded to a report indicating that a dwelling house at Willetts Extension was on fire.
The unit rushed to the scene to find that the fire was under control.
According to information reaching this media house, the fire was contained in one of the two bedrooms in the concrete structure and was prevented from spreading to other areas of the house because of neighbours, who swiftly formed a bucket brigade and extinguished most of the flames.
Speaking with this media house, Fire Station Officer Everette O’Garro explained that by the time the fire unit arrived at the scene, it met the inferno partially extinguished.
O’Garro said that all the contents of the room including beds, television, clothing, shoes, other furniture, books and household accessories were totally destroyed. He added that a major portion of the roof was also damaged.
Little more than two and a half hours later, the Basseterre branch of the Fire and Rescue Services responded to yet another house fire in the Challengers area.
SKNVibes understands that when the unit arrived on the scene smoke was seen coming from the lower section of a two-storey building, but with the team of professionals quickly subdued the blaze.
According to reports, the fire may have originated in a room located at the north-western corner of the house - a room which was used as a storage facility. SKNVibes understands that all contents of the room were destroyed.
O’Garro told SKNVibes that the owner of the building, Dion Matthew, said that having left his home in good order at about 4:30 the said afternoon, he returned at about 9:45 to find the house on fire.
It is further understood that Matthew estimated his losses to be in the tune of $10 000.
Also, according to a police press release, officers are investigating a fire that occurred on Tuesday (4:20 a.m.) at Green Tree Project, Old Road which left a dwelling place partially damaged.
“The living room door of the two-room wooden and wall structure was completely destroyed and the walls and windows were scorched by the fire. A number of items were taken into custody but no one was held accountable for the fire.”
Fire Station Officer O’Garro explained that it is very important for persons to be aware of fire hazards within their homes.
“We would like to advise people to be mindful of fire hazards in the house. When I say hazards, I speak to things like electrical appliances…making sure that there are no exposed wires and so on, and if there are, make sure a certified electrician is called in to deal with the situation.”
