EFFORTS TO CLEAR AN overgrown rodent-infested open lot at 10th Avenue New Orleans, St Michael almost turned tragic when the fire got out of control shortly before midday.
Officers of the Barbados Fire Service were able to bring it under control before it spread to any nearby houses.
Elon Corbin, who lives next door to the open lot, said it was just a small fire in a pile where some wood and rubble was heaped, but the wind started to get too high and since the grass was dry, it quickly spread.
Three fire officers under the command of Leading Fire Officer Ernle Fields and one fire tender from the Bridgetown Fire Station attended to the fire which started about 10:30 a.m.
Smoke from the fire also caused an early lunchtime declaration in the WICB PCL Regional first-class cricket match between Barbados Pride and Windward Islands Volcanoes at Kensington Oval. (LK)