FIRE Chief Marlon Gentle yesterday told reporters that the fire at the Robb and Camp Streets complex on Sunday morning showed signs that a gas cylinder had exploded, indicating improper usage. He also stated that there was evidence that the complex where the fire started was also used as living quarters.
According to reports, the gas cylinder was connected to a rice cooker, and although there were other gas cylinders on the property, it was only one that exploded. This is in keeping with the eyewitness report of the person who alerted the fire service to the fire at the facility on Sunday morning.
The owners of the facility sought to give the fire investigators the impression that only three persons were living inside the facility but the investigations proved otherwise according to the Chief Fire Officer.
He said that it was also clear that there was a leaking of propane gas but what ignited the flames was still immediately not clear to investigators. Also he pointed out that it could have been some form of electrical outlet or something else that had the ability to drive enough heat such as a lamp.
On Sunday millions were reduced to ashes when a complex at the corners of Robb and Camp Streets went up in flames also threatened all other buildings in its surroundings.
The fire service responded with eleven tenders and dozens of on and off duty ranks who showed up to ensure that the fire was contained to the primary building. The fire however was hard to battle as it was being fuelled by high winds and explosive devices namely the cylinders which were used in a section of the building that housed a restaurant.
Fire Chief Marlon Gentle on Monday called for there to be a better usage of electricity in the home and business places as it is sometimes the sole cause of fires that leave so many persons at a disadvantage.
He also called for proper supervision of children especially at this time where they are out of school as this period based on the records of the fire service proves to be the period where fires are at an all-time high.
