Burnt shop a health hazard

CLEAN UP the health hazard, say residents of the area surrounding the burnt-out LRS Lounge in Oistins, Christ Church. They are concerned about the health risks posed by the debris that remains.The LRS Lounge, which was destroyed by fire in 2008, is now overrun with bush and vines and is occupied by rodents and insects. People have also started dumping garbage on the property.  One resident, who chose to remain anonymous, said the site posed a serious health problem. “We are affected very much. There are rodents, mosquitoes and giant African snails crawling from that property onto mine.”  Referring to the property as a public nuisance, the resident said: “I called the Ministry of Health on several occasions and they said that they were doing something about it. Now it is worse than ever.”  The resident added that public health inspectors visited the area and said the property was on their list and that it would be dealt with.When contacted, Kenrick Welch of the Environmental Health Department at Oistins Polyclinic said there was an issue before the law courts pertaining to the ownership of the land, therefore the department could do nothing in terms of cleaning the property.  However, he said the department would check the area and have baiting done. He will also speak to the residents of the area to see how they were being affected. (LK)