Hired car business gutted by fire

The Ballantyne family at Durants, St James, had one of their biggest shocks yesterday morning when fire broke out in the garage adjoining two homes.Six vehicles belonging to the family’s hired car business were burnt, and family member Rudolph Ballantyne said he estimated the loss at more than $100 000.Proprietor of the business, Bibian Ballantyne, was overseas. His son Rudolph said the cars were being repaired. The fire was brought under control in less than an hour.Acting Divisional Officer at the Arch Hall Fire Station, Glanville Collins, confirmed they responded to the call around 9:12 a.m., with four fire tenders, two from Arch Hall, one from Weston and the other from Bridgetown.