BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – QUICK reaction by members of the Fire and Rescue Services last night (Sept. 14) prevented what could have been losses amounting to millions of dollars at S.L. Horsford’s Stockyard, located next to the Foundation for National Development on Wellington Road.
Information reaching this publication last night states that there was a fire at Horsford’s Stockyard. And on a visit to the scene this morning, SKNVibes spoke with the General Manager of the Automotive Department, Alexander St. Juste, who indicated that a bus was on fire and arson was suspected.
“Around 11:50 last night while at home, I received a call telling me that there is a fire at the Stockyard next to FND. When I arrived, the Fire Brigade was already in the yard and the members had extinguished the fire. On checking, I realised that the bus, HA308, was pushed some 12 to 15 feet from where it was parked down to the back fence and set on fire.”
When asked if arson was suspected, St. Juste answered in the affirmative and explained that the owner of the bus had sought the department’s permission to have it parked in the Stockyard because he feared someone was out to damage it.
“It seemed to be arson! I was told by the department that somebody had attempted to burn it Wednesday night at Tabernacle and the owner had asked us to bring it in here on Thursday for safe-keeping.
He further explained that a guard was place at the scene following the fire and he had observed someone attempting to gain access into the Stockyard through a hole in the eastern fence.
“We came this morning and found that a part of the rear fence was cut out and someone seemed to have come into the yard from there. We therefore placed a guard in the Stockyard after the vehicle was set on fire. And when I arrived here this morning at 6:30, the guard told me that he saw a thin guy walking towards the back of the fence and when he flashed his light upon him the fellow retreated into the bushes and fled from the scene.”
A number of officers from the Basseterre Police Station were also present at the scene this morning and they indicated that investigations are ongoing.
