Around 80 workers were left jobless after Monday’s massive fire at an automotive business block in Bamboo No 2 in Valsayn that caused an estimated $45 million loss in property.
Some of the affected business owners and workers reported to the site located at Bamboo No 2 Main Road and Hosein Circular from as early as daybreak yesterday, where once stood the 75 by 100-metre warehouse that housed their respective businesses only to be confronted with ashes, burnt rubble of the building, burnt auto parts and destroyed vehicles including trucks, vans and forklifts.
The air quality was stifling and poor as smoke still emanated from the burnt ruins with a strong chemical scent that burnt eyes and nostrils.
The victims stood for hours in the hot sun lost for words and in shock.
Guardian Media attempted to interview them but the explanation given was similar in nature, all saying they were still trying to come to terms with their losses and did not have the words at the moment.
The businesses destroyed were identified as D&D Auto Parts; Toyo; Dibbles; Terex; T&M (two branches); Autoplex; Tasha; Big Waves; One Stop and a car dealership owned and operated by the owner of the warehouse building Joseph Furlonge.
A worker from one of the destroyed businesses, Autoplex, identified himself only as Lawrence, a Guyanese-national, and said the situation is saddening.
A Fire Prevention officer conducts an inspection at one of the burnt out business outlets in Bamboo No 2 yesterday
Rhondor Dowlat-Rostant
“I have lost my job, yes, but I still have my small farm to fall back on. Pressure.”
A resident, who lives, two lots away from the destroyed warehouse said thankfully her home as well as her sister’s, whose house is located right next door, were not destroyed.
“We didn’t get any damage but we still have smoke and the air quality now is not the best. It was scary,” the resident said.
“It was about 6.30 pm when I came out...and saw that whole piece of property was on fire. When we came out it was in front, we soon saw the flames, the red flames huge and high up in the air, so we knew it wasn’t an ordinary one.”
The woman said although there are many businesses there, only one existing fire hydrant is located in the area.
She added that for years business owners have been requesting more fire hydrants, especially along the main road.
“It fell on deaf ears as usual. But this is a high price to pay. So many people would have lost everything, investments, businesses, especially in these times. To endure this, it is very sad,” she said.
Fire Prevention officers, along with different teams of investigators including the T&T Electricity Commission and private insurance companies, carried out extensive investigations yesterday.
A team of T&Tec investigators hold discussions in front of the burnt foreign used business.
RHONDOR DOWLAT-ROSTANT
Chief Fire Officer Arnold Bristo said firefighters had a challenge for water supply but added he was grateful for assistance from the Water and Sewerage Authority and the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation.
He said that they got the call about the fire at about 6.30 pm and despatched appliances from San Juan, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, the Central Division and even as far as the Southern Division.
“The estimated cost of the losses so far was put at $45 million but that is to be revised as we are still completing our investigations to finalise those issues,” he added.
Asked about the absence of fire hydrants, Bristo said, “There is one fire hydrant in the area which we did get water from but the pressure was not adequate to support the kind of operation which was needed and it is something the Fire Service will now have to engage Public Utilities and WASA on because of the risk it presents in the area.”
“It’s something my team and myself will look into to see how best it will be addressed,” he added.
A team of investigators from the fire prevention unit arrives at the scene of the fire on Tuesday.
RHONDOE DOWLAT-ROSTANT
