Arson suspected!
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MEMBERS of the Basseterre Fire Department have once again demonstrated their professionalism and fire fighting skills by ensuring an early morning fire did not spread throughout the densely populated Mad House Alley in Newtown.
However, in spite of their gallant efforts, two wooden buildings were completely destroyed and a third one, in which one man was housed, badly scorched on its eastern side.
According to Fire Station Officer Everette O’Garro, at about 12:15 this morning (Aug. 18), the Fire Department responded to a fire call in Mad House Alley, Newtown.
O’Garro explained that on arrival at the scene two wooden building were on fire and a gallant effort was made to save them, but the firefighters were restricted because of the electricity supply in the area.
He however stated that the firemen were better able to manoeuver after members of the St. Kitts Electricity Corporation Limited had cut off the flow of electricity to the buildings.
The Fire Station Officer also stated that “the two wooden building were completely destroyed and a third one was scorched on the eastern side”.
Asked if he could ascertain the cause of the fire, O’Garro said he could not make any pronouncement at the time because their investigations were not completed.
O’Garro also indicated that no information was available as to how many persons were residing in the two buildings that were destroyed because no one in the area provided any.
SKNVibes however learnt that one man was residing in the scorched building and individuals had assisted him in removing some of his belongings to the home of a relative.
This media house also learnt that certain items were discovered at the scene which suggested that arson is suspected. The items are currently in police custody.
The fire took place in the yard north of the three-storey building in which the body of 31-year-old Everad ‘Nitty’ Hewlett was found on Monday night (Aug. 15) lying in the bathroom with what appeared to be gunshot injuries to the head and lower abdomen.
Since then, two men are in custody assisting police with their investigations into Hewlett’s shooting death.
SKNVibes also learnt that the two men were residents of one of the buildings that the fire destroyed.
