BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE presence of smoke at the Bank of Nova Scotia Basseterre Branch led to the summoning of a unit from the St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services Department, but thankfully the situation was not as serious as was originally thought.
It was about 6:00 p.m. when SKNVibes arrived on the scene at Fort Street to meet a fire tender, a fire ambulance as well as fire officers entering and exiting the building.
Acting Fire Chief Everette O’Garro told SKNVibes the Department received a report at about 5:50 p.m. that the building was filled with smoke. He said when they arrived on the scene and entered the building, a thorough search was conducted but there was no sign of a fire.
He said the search revealed that the smoke was as the result of the burnt-out motor of an air conditioner located at the top floor.
Persons who were occupying the space at that time – O’Garro explained – were evacuated from the building.
He informed that the smoke spread as it did because it got into the vent of the air conditioner and was distributed throughout the building.
After assistance was given in ventilating the building, and after the Department was certain that there was no fire, the matter was turned over to an electrician who – according to O’Garro – is the Bank’s electrician.
He advised “managers, owners of buildings with sophisticated electrical components to ensure that you make periodic checks of these devices. In a number of cases, they malfunction due to the fact that they are energised equipment and can easily give rise to fires.”
SKNVibes understands that there were no injuries sustained resulting from the incident.
