The Barbados Fire Service has handed over its file on the fire that destroyed A&A Auto Parts Limited to the Barbados Police Service, which will now take the lead in determining what caused the blaze last Saturday.
The handover took place on Sunday, October 18, from the Six Roads, St Philip business, according to Divisional Officer Marlon Small, who was the team leader on the scene.
Asked whether the Fire Service had confirmed a cause, Small said it had not. “No, the police would do some further investigation,” he said, adding that fire officers were finished with the site.
Small also said the residences around the building had all been covered by firefighters. Nearby properties had been damaged by radiant heat from the blaze.
Explosions woke nearby residents just after 4 a.m. last Saturday and some had to leave their homes as thick black smoke covered the area.
Chief Fire Officer Errol Maynard said it was on the building’s upper floor when crews arrived.
Five water tenders, a tanker and a ladder truck were sent, with 17 officers taking part in the operation. Maynard said then the fire had been contained but was not yet under control as he urged residents affected by the smoke to move to a safe location.
The Barbados Water Authority also played its part in helping quell the fire, providing two large tankers carrying 5 200 gallons of water each.
Firefighters fought for hours to bring the blaze under control while police secured the scene as the owners and their families looked on. (BA)