An elderly woman was saved from certain death in a house fire at Britton's Hill, St. Michael. Firefighters responded to the call around 1:57 a.m. and discovered the woman was unable to escape due to burglar bars which were erected on the doors and windows of the smoke filled house.
Three fire tenders with 10 officers from Fire Service Headquarters under the command of acting Divisional Officer Wilfred Marshall and Station Officer Tyrone Trotman responded to the fire which extensively damaged the eastern side of the stone building.
The elderly woman was transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by ambulance suffering from smoke inhalation. Police and Fire Service officials are investigating the cause of the fire.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Water Waste
The little water that is available to Barbadians because of the current drought, is being depleted even more to fight fires.Acting Chief Fire Officer Randolph Cox, who is currently on leave, wants people to be even more vigilant and protect the environment and natural resources by immediately reporting any suspicious looking individuals who may be setting brush fires. (Lloydson Phillips is the current acting Chief Fire Officer).
The Fire Service was again forced to respond to a number of brush fires yesterday and according to the Cox, the same water used to extinguish those blazes is water that should be flowing through taps.
"People must consider we are in a drought situation and we at the fire service use the same water they drink to fight fires. If this continues, we will suffer a serious water shortage in Barbados," he said.
Cox said a fire tender contained an average of 600 gallons of water. He said one tender usually responded to a grass fire, but often had to be refilled several times, noting as many as three tenders had been recorded responding to a grass fire.
Disturbing trend
A check with the Fire Service revealed there had been 15 grass fires up to 4:30 p.m. yesterday, mainly situated in Christ Church and St Philip, with one in St Thomas. This number is well past the total number of fires at the same time last year.
Cox said he was noticing a disturbing trend where grass fires seemed to spring back to life all by themselves.
"When fire officers respond to some fires they are forced to stay and let them burn out because if they put it out and leave, before they can get back to the station they are being called back to the same fire," he said.
Cox did not say that arson was responsible since according to him, he had no proof, but he said fires he had seen so far were being caused neither by "spontaneous combustion", nor due to sunlight being reflected through glass.
"The likelihood of that happening is miniscule, especially in light of the sheer number of fires we have been responding to. It's ridiculous, I don't even acknowledge it.
"I believe the public should report anyone whom they think is behaving suspiciously, if they see someone acting in a manner they should not be, or in a place where they ordinarily should not be, then call the police, do not wait until something happens," he said.
Cox said the police were always informed when they gathered information at any fire and said he personally believed anyone who started a fire, whether maliciously or not, which then caused damage to someone else's property, should be held legally liable.
Source: www.nationnews.com
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Fire Engages Firefighters For Over Five Hours
A large fire which enveloped the areas of Bannatyne, Kendal, South Ridge, Vauxhall and Sheraton Park in Christ Church engaged fire officers for more than 5 hours today. It was another fiery day as firefighters endured the blazing heat and sun to contain the fire. (e-Report by G Alleyne)
Friday, February 5, 2010
Fired Up!
St Philip and Christ Church have been the hardest hit by the firebug so far this year.
According to statistics released by the Barbados Fire Service, there were 117 fires in St Philip and 93 in Christ Church, for January. In St Michael there were 76.
In an appeal, Acting Chief Fire Officer Lloydson Phillips urged Barbadians to desist from rash and unwise burning of all types.
"Whatever the reason, there is a failure to recognise the inherent danger and the high level of risk which others are exposed to as a result of this indiscriminate action.
"A telling example was the house fires that resulted from a grass fire in Christ Church earlier last month," Phillips told the WEEKEND NATION.
"This is just one example of the economic impact that these fires are having on our country at a time when we can ill afford it," he said. Another danger pointed out by the senior fire officer was the environmental risk involved with fires.
"The products of combustion from fires are impacting the health of our citizens more adversely because we cannot tell what is in the pastures when there is illegal dumping," he added.
The acting fire chief noted that the Fire Service, like all other Government departments, had a responsibility to promote and maintain a climate that would encourage foreign direct investment and maintain safety standards in the hotel and tourism sector.
"We have to promote fire and life safety in all of our social institutions, and at the same time spread the same message throughout the community. We have limited resources and will not be able to achieve these goals without the fervent support of every member of the public," Phillips said.
Source: www.nationnews.com
According to statistics released by the Barbados Fire Service, there were 117 fires in St Philip and 93 in Christ Church, for January. In St Michael there were 76.
In an appeal, Acting Chief Fire Officer Lloydson Phillips urged Barbadians to desist from rash and unwise burning of all types.
"Whatever the reason, there is a failure to recognise the inherent danger and the high level of risk which others are exposed to as a result of this indiscriminate action.
"A telling example was the house fires that resulted from a grass fire in Christ Church earlier last month," Phillips told the WEEKEND NATION.
"This is just one example of the economic impact that these fires are having on our country at a time when we can ill afford it," he said. Another danger pointed out by the senior fire officer was the environmental risk involved with fires.
"The products of combustion from fires are impacting the health of our citizens more adversely because we cannot tell what is in the pastures when there is illegal dumping," he added.
The acting fire chief noted that the Fire Service, like all other Government departments, had a responsibility to promote and maintain a climate that would encourage foreign direct investment and maintain safety standards in the hotel and tourism sector.
"We have to promote fire and life safety in all of our social institutions, and at the same time spread the same message throughout the community. We have limited resources and will not be able to achieve these goals without the fervent support of every member of the public," Phillips said.
Source: www.nationnews.com
'Stop The Burning'
January 2010 was the most fiery ever recorded in Barbados.
And acting Chief Fire Officer Lloydson Phillips has appealed to Barbadians to stop the dangerous practice of igniting grass fires which accounted for a phenomenal 304 of the 452 fires recorded for the month.
As a result, the island’s 249 fire officers have been severely stretched trying to respond to the large number of fires.
Phillips told the WEEKEND NATION he was particularly concerned about the sudden upsurge in grass fires and noted there were four times as many fires over the highest ever number (82) in 2008 in a comparative five-year period (2005 – 2010).
“Persons light fires and cause open burning for many different reasons. It may be to get rid of rodents, cow itch vines, to clear a lot, to improve security or to beautify their surroundings,” the acting chief fire officer said.
“Whatever the reason, there is a failure to recognise the inherent danger and the high level of risk which others are exposed to as a result of this indiscriminate action,” he added.
Reports indicated that on occasions last month there were as many as six fire tenders fighting a single grassfire in an effort to safeguard inhabited districts. Phillips cited the case of a sheep farmer who lit a grassy area in an effort to better secure his stock from attacks by dogs. The fire got out of control.
Phillips warned of the negative impact fires had on the economy. Barbadians should also consider the drought situation facing the country over the past 12 months. “Please desist from burning the grass and sugar canes. Stop indiscriminate burning, it is the dry season and outside is quite windy. Exercise greater vigilance at home and in the work place,” he urged.
The drastic increase in fires last month followed an encouraging 25 per cent reduction in overall fires for 2009. The senior fire officer noted that Barbadians last year demonstrated a high level of cooperation with the Fire Service’s campaign to reduce fires.
“These statistics (2009) reflected very responsible behaviour by our citizens and was an appropriate response to the economic challenges we are currently facing,” he said.
Source: www.nationnews.com
And acting Chief Fire Officer Lloydson Phillips has appealed to Barbadians to stop the dangerous practice of igniting grass fires which accounted for a phenomenal 304 of the 452 fires recorded for the month.
As a result, the island’s 249 fire officers have been severely stretched trying to respond to the large number of fires.
Phillips told the WEEKEND NATION he was particularly concerned about the sudden upsurge in grass fires and noted there were four times as many fires over the highest ever number (82) in 2008 in a comparative five-year period (2005 – 2010).
“Persons light fires and cause open burning for many different reasons. It may be to get rid of rodents, cow itch vines, to clear a lot, to improve security or to beautify their surroundings,” the acting chief fire officer said.
“Whatever the reason, there is a failure to recognise the inherent danger and the high level of risk which others are exposed to as a result of this indiscriminate action,” he added.
Reports indicated that on occasions last month there were as many as six fire tenders fighting a single grassfire in an effort to safeguard inhabited districts. Phillips cited the case of a sheep farmer who lit a grassy area in an effort to better secure his stock from attacks by dogs. The fire got out of control.
Phillips warned of the negative impact fires had on the economy. Barbadians should also consider the drought situation facing the country over the past 12 months. “Please desist from burning the grass and sugar canes. Stop indiscriminate burning, it is the dry season and outside is quite windy. Exercise greater vigilance at home and in the work place,” he urged.
The drastic increase in fires last month followed an encouraging 25 per cent reduction in overall fires for 2009. The senior fire officer noted that Barbadians last year demonstrated a high level of cooperation with the Fire Service’s campaign to reduce fires.
“These statistics (2009) reflected very responsible behaviour by our citizens and was an appropriate response to the economic challenges we are currently facing,” he said.
Source: www.nationnews.com
Stop Burning Stuff!
Brush fires have stretched the Barbados Fire Service to the limit.And Acting Chief Fire Officer Lloydson Phillips is appealing to Barbadians to stop indiscriminate burning.
Phillips said: “At the beginning of 2010 we are faced with an abnormally high number of fires as they rage in every section of the Island and have placed a very heavy demand on the resources of this department.
“Where at the end of January 2009 we had 13 grass fires, at the end of the corresponding period [this year] we have had 304.”
The statistics also showed there were 36 cane fires at the end of January, compared to just five the previous year, while rubbish fires stand at 38 as opposed to last year’s 15. Particularly troubling is the hike in false alarm calls to the fire service from six in 2009 to 17 in 2010.
“Persons light fires and cause open burning for many different reasons. Whatever the reason there is a failure to recognise the inherent danger and the high level of risk which others are exposed to as a result of this indiscriminate action,” Phillips said.
Pointing to the negative economic impact that the fires have on the island “at a time when we can ill afford it”, Phillips stressed “every time a commercial building fire takes place some jobs are lost and as recovery time increases more jobs are lost. Every acre of grass burnt means that domestic and commercial farmers have to buy more feed. The products of combustion from fires are impacting the health of our citizens more adversely because we cannot tell what is in the pastures when there is illegal dumping”.
“These factors, coupled with the drought we have been experiencing for the past 12 months, and the current economic recession is a good enough basis on which to appeal to the general public to revert to or adopt a level of responsible behaviour which will help rather than hurt at this time,” he stated.
“We have limited resources and will not be able to achieve these goals without the fervent support of every member of the public. Stop lighting the grass and sugar canes. Stop indiscriminate burning it is the dry season and outside is quite windy” Phillips insisted. “Exercise greater vigilance at home and in the work place. Ensure that children and the elderly are constantly supervised.”
Meanwhile, fire officer Glyne Alleyne has also asked Barbadians to be aware of the impact fires were having on persons who suffer with respiratory ailments.
“Like the rest of Barbados, we are concerned about indiscriminate burning and there are a number of persons who have called the department complaining that they are asthmatic and that the smoke from their neighbours’ fires is causing them complications,” Alleyne said.
“It is a serious problem, the fire department makes provision for instances of rodent infestation and where cow itch is causing a problem. In these cases, we, in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture will conduct a controlled burning to minimise the effect of this discomfort to persons,” he added.
Alleyne suggested that there were other viable options that could be explored before resorting to burning. “Outside is dry, we understand that, but persons may try mulching. Take the leaves and dry grass – use it in your garden,” the fire fighter said.
Alternately, householders may look into neatly packing garbage and arranging to have it picked up by the Sanitation Service Authority or a private company and/or seek a company which offers recycling services for reusable items.
“I find however, in Barbados, it is a common practice – almost cultural that we burn. This is not necessary, but it has become a habit of the local community where people burn on a daily basis – regardless of the hour of the day.”
Furthermore, Alleyne added that often persons do not have the means to extinguish the fire, resulting in the fire service being called to control the situation. “This is the kind of irresponsible behaviour that is happening in this country on a daily basis. It is a problem,” he continued, citing incidents where persons burned rubbish and the fire got away and destroyed their neighbour’s house.
“I am not aware, in my 13 years at the fire service, of an instance where someone who accidentally destroyed their neighbours house had to financially compensate them... and many of the residential homes in Barbados are not insured. The financial loss, the displacement – it is tragic,” he added.
Source: www.barbadostoday.bb
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