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Posted: Sunday 26 July, 2015 at 11:19 PM

Arson suspected in Sunday fires, SKELEC material destroyed

Smoke billowing into the air from the fires at the Kim Collins Fire
By: Terresa McCall, SKNVibes.com

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IT was a long day for the fire officers of both the Basseterre and Sandy Point Fire Stations who had to battle and monitor two acres-wide fires which occurred on either side of the Kim Collins Highway this morning (Jul. 26).

     

    Sometime before 11:00 a.m., residents of the Conaree, Needsmust, Taylors, Kittstodart, Ponds Extension and other communities were experiencing an inflow of thick smoke into their homes as a result of the fires.

     

    Fire Chief Everette O’Garro told SKNVibes that his officers at the Basseterre Fire Station received word of a fire on the south-eastern side of the Highway, in vicinity of the aquifer, at about 10:56 a.m. to which they quickly responded.

     

    He said the fire spread rapidly because of high winds, and while water was used in quenching the blaze in some areas, it was necessary for the officers to monitor the fire to ensure that it did not spread to any nearby property. 

     

    The Fire Chief explained that the Fire Department was assisted by the road network on that piece of land which acted as natural fire breaks, preventing the fire from advancing beyond certain points.

     

    During the monitoring and fighting process, O’Garro the Sandy Point Fire Department had to be summoned to provide assistance.

     

    While dealing with that fire, it was observer that a fire was started on the opposite side of the road and according to O’Garro, it was virtually impossible for prevailing winds to transfer embers from one side of the Kim Collins Highway to the other.

     

    He said the cause of the fires is undetermined but the Department suspects that an arsonist(s) might have started both fires.

     

    He reported however that the fire on the north-western side of the road spread to the compound of the SKELEC (St. Kitts Electricity Company Ltd.) and destroyed some of the material which was stored there.

     

    “It is sad to report that a section of the fire actually spread to the SKELEC compound and destroyed some equipment including utility poles and rolls of cable wire.

     

    “Because of that we want to make the appeal to people with property especially in areas that are frequented with bush fire…to make sure they invest in fire breaks around their properties. Because the lack of a fire break can work against you.”

     

    SKNVibes understands that up to 9:00 this evening, the fire officers were still on the scene ensuring that no further spreading of the fire takes place.

     

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