Tar tanker bursts into flames at West Bypass Road;
Fire Department prevents disastrous explosion…

By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WORK at the West Bypass Road in the Shadwell area came to a screeching halt late yesterday afternoon when a vehicle carrying tar burst into flames.

Having been made aware of the incident, SKNVibes rushed to scene and met a unit from the St. Kitts Nevis Fire and Rescue Services battling the inferno.

Just minutes after, another appliance arrived on the scene and quickly followed by a third. 

Together, and for over 45 minutes, members of the three units unremittingly battled with the fiery fury, which could have caused an explosion of the tank that houses tar, and ensured the safety of the nearby residences and their occupants was not compromised.

One individual told this media house that he was travelling from an adjoining community and had arrived on the scene just moments before the driver of the vehicle on fire made his exit and ran to safety.

Fire Officer Daveon Clarke told SKNvibes that a call was made to the Basseterre Fire Department at about 3:00 p.m. to which a unit immediately responded.
 
He however explained that when the unit arrived on scene, members were careful not to approach the blaze as the two tanks of liquid propane gas (LPG) affixed to the back of the flaming vehicle were disgorging fire.

“At about 15:00 hours a call came in and it was reported that there was a vehicle fire situated in the vicinity of Shadwell.   ~~Adz:Left~~
 
The Unit quickly responded to the scene in appliance P8300 which was fully equipped. On arrival, we met a tanker filled with tar, which was being used in the finishing of the road, fully engulfed in flames. 

The unit stood by because we observed that several of the LPG tanks were leaking fire so we stood by until all the contents were consumed. We quickly went into action and extinguished the fire.”

Clark said during the fire fight, two other appliances had to be called to the scene to ensure the source of water was never depleted.

“We have to call the station for another appliance and also had to call the airport for an appliance, so we had three appliances at the scene. While one was being used, another went to the highest hydrant to fill up. During the process of extinguishing the fire, because the tank was fully engulfed in flames, we had to use a number of gallons of water to apply onto the tank itself to prevent it from exploding.”

The cause of the fire, Clark says, “is unknown at this time. We tried to get information but the driver was not on the scene, so we now have to go and contact the owners and the persons who were working at the Bypass Road to find out the exact cause of the fire then we will carry out our own investigations.”