BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A La-Guerite family was left without residence Sunday afternoon (Mar. 20) after a fire destroyed their home and threatened to spread to surrounding areas.
Fire Chief Everette O’Garro informed SKNVibes that at about 1:49 p.m., a unit from the Basseterre Fire Department was summoned to the scene of the fire and when it arrived, the dwelling place was engulfed in flames.
He said it was occupied by St. Clair Smithen, his significant other and children. These, he said, were not at home when the fire began and Smithen reportedly told the Fire Officers that they left the property secured and intact at about an hour and a half prior.
Imagine their surprise then when they were called and informed that their residence was lost in flames.
The fire officers, fought assiduously to bring the fire under control, especially as there were concerns that it would spread to the surrounding areas and cause further damage to property.
The fire was such that assistance had to be sought from the Sandy Point Fire Unit and after a total of two and a half hours, the officers were able to get the blaze under control and extinguished.
Persons have indicated however, that yesterday morning (Mar. 21) hours after the flames were quenched, smoke was observed emanating from the scene.
O’Garro said the cause of the fire is yet unknown.
