Bajan Fire Fighters Blog

Acting Station Officer Christopher Ricardo Edwards rode on many fire trucks during his 35-year fire fighting career, only this time he did not get off to battle a raging blaze. Yesterday, his flag draped casket on top the Bronco turntable fire truck, flanked by fire officers, rolled slowly into the St Lucy’s Parish Church, thronged by mourners who gathered to bid farewell to Edwards who died on December 15, electrocuted by a live power cable while responding to a fire in Station Hill, St Peter. Edwards, who lived at Reservoir Road, Ashton Hall, in the same parish, was laid to rest in the churchyard of All Saints Anglican Church after being eulogised for his selfless dedication, loyalty and friendliness. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs Lucene Wharton-Issac, Cabinet Ministers and other heads of departments and representatives of fire services across the region, headed the list of officials who paid th...

Former Acting Station Officer Christopher "German" Edwards spent his last day at Barbados Fire Service headquarters on Probyn Street today. And it was an emotional time for many who knew the 57-year-old fireman, who died in a freak accident on December 15 in Station Hill, St Peter. He was electrocuted while handling a high tension wire when he and a crew responded to a call of a house fire. Many tears were shed as fire fighters filed past the body of the veteran officer as others formed a guard of honour. From 10 this morning until 3 p.m., hundreds of Barbadians also paid their last respects to the fire officer who will be laid to rest tomorrow at the All Saints Church, St. Peter after a service at the St. Lucy Parish Church at 3 p.m. The Ashton Hall, St. Peter resident joined the service 35 years ago, with Chief Fire Officer Wilfred Marshall. (DS) Source: BarbadosToday.bb 2010/12/29

Scores of people passed through the Barbados Fire Service’s headquarters in Bridgetown yesterday, with the sole purpose of paying their respects to the first ever fire officer to lose his life in the line of duty on the island. Christopher Edwards, 57, from Ashton Hall, St. Peter, died last week Wednesday when he was electrocuted after coming in contact with a live Barbados Light & Power cable. He was responding to an emergency call in Station Hill, St. Peter. Family, friends and colleagues – all proudly wearing pins displaying an image of Christopher – were allowed to view his body, which was closely guarded by two fire officers for the duration of the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. viewing. Many persons who did not know him also expressed to this newspaper that they felt the need to take the time to pay their respects. As mourners entered the Probyn Street building, most signed the two condolence books that were provided before greeting Edwards’ wife, Cheryl, and moving on to view the body. M...

The Barbados Fire Service is cognisant of the energy, the excitement and the emphasis which is associated with the traditions of this Yuletide season. It is a time when no effort is spared to convey to all relatives, neighbours and friends the spirit of love, gratitude and goodwill. The exercise of these attributes is best received when your manner is cheerful but in the delivery you must be careful. When every scenario you imagine seems to be going according to plan, there is the tendency to become complacent and to lose focus of the basic but essential principles of safety and due care. The consequences of an error in judgment because you have pushed yourself to the limit to accomplish last-minute preparations can incur significant loss of property and sometimes life. The Barbados Fire Service is committed to the reduction of property damage and loss. Our commitment is no less fervent when it comes to the preservation of life. We as a society endured the horror of fatalities by fire ...

We extend our very best wishes for the Holiday Season. We wish you an abundance of friends, happiness, good health, peace and love... Merry Christmas to you all.

Chief Fire Officer Wilfred Marshall is urging Barbadians to exercise caution and due vigilance on fire safety, especially during this season. He stated that although the department was prepared to handle any emergency which may arise, it would be placing ads and messages in the public domain to reinforce safety measures. "I would really like to see a significant reduction in the number of fires. I am concerned that we have gone past the amount of structural fires this year, compared to last year and this is a great worry for me, because this department spends a lot of time and energy on programmes educating the public about fire safety. That is where we put our focus, in an effort to reduce damage to property in this country," Marshall stressed. Noting that the loss of a house significantly impacts upon a family, the fire chief intimated that once a tragedy of this magnitude occurs the entire chain is affected. "We can stop this through our fire prevention information, b...

Chief Fire Officer Wilfred Marshall and several members of the Barbados Fire Service, Happy Crew community group and residents of St Peter came out this morning to the area where acting Station Officer Edwards was killed in the line of duty on Wednesday. During the brief ceremony a wreath was laid near the spot where Edwards died. Tributes were also presented by his wife Cheryl and Fire Chief Wilfred Marshall with Reverend Curtis Goodridge a close friend of Edwards as the officiating Minister.

The Barbados Fire Service today mourns the tragic loss of one of its members. Acting Station Officer Christopher Edwards was killed in the line of duty last night after he came into contact with a live power line after responding to an emergency call. Reports indicate that Edwards was electrocuted at the scene of the emergency call. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, relatives, friends and all members of the Barbados Fire Service during this time of profound loss. Please note that tributes, condolences and other expressions of sympathy can be posted via our Facebook page under the topic "Fire Service Condolences" located in the discussions forum, see link below. http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=125955502598&topic=11431

Barbados' chief fire officer Wilfred Marshall says his officers are moving to improve their certification locally. Moments after receiving several pieces of equipment from the Florida-based Hillsborough Community College, the fire chief said that they were currently working with the Barbados Community College to get an associate degree programme in fire science going. "That is being worked on as we speak. This is a collaboration between the Barbados Community College and Hillsborough Community College. There are a number of little details to be worked out," he said, adding that the parties involved met as recently as yesterday to discuss the developments. Dean of the associate science programmes at Hillsborough, Jack Evans said that they were working on an arrangement where when trainers from that Community College provided instruction to local fire officers, the BCC would receive the grades and be able to apply them to the transcripts of those officers here towards their...

Here is another informative video from the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) to offer you guidance during this festive season. Remember: "Don't invite FIRE to your holiday celebrations."

The holiday season is a prime time for accidents to happen. Seasonal food preparation, decorations and Christmas lighting are the leading causes of accidental fires occurring during the festive period. The following informative video from the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is presented for your information.

Here is another informative video by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) about live Christmas trees and the appropriate precautions to be observed during the festive season. Should you have questions or need clarification feel free to contact us: bajanfirefighters@gmail.com

The Holiday Season is with us once again, and so we present these helpful fire safety tips to guide you as your preparations for the festive season continues. This video is brought to you by the National Fire Protection Association.... Remember be fire smart.

" To safeguard democracy the people must have a keen sense of independence, self-respect, and their oneness ". ~ Mahatma Gandhi We take this opportunity to extend warmest greetings to all Barbadians on this the 44th Anniversary of Independence. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE BARBADOS...

We extend a hearty congratulations to Fire Officer Pernel Leeverne McClean. Officer McClean was awarded the Barbados Bravery Medal (BM) during the Awards of National Honours for Independence Day 2010 for his courageous act of saving the life of Miss Charlotte Parris whose vehicle careened into the Belle Gully during a flash flood on October 1, 2010.

Four people, including three children, had to be taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after being involved in a two-vehicle accident in St George yesterday. A car and a truck were involved in a collision on Lower Greys Road around 8:30 a.m., resulting in injuries to the car’s driver, 46-year-old Kenneth Hunte, and his children, Kenron, 2, Kalisha, 5, and Kanisha, 7. The father had to be extracted from the vehicle by the Barbados Fire Service. The truck was driven by 35-year-old Alvin Nurse of Friendship, St George. Above, police officers at the scene. (AH)

A house fire of unknown origin claimed the life of one of Barbados' centenarians this afternoon. According to police reports the victim who was yet to be positively identified up to Press time is believed to be that of 100-year-old Vermilia Prince who occupied the wood and wall structure at No 54 Ixora Crescent Sunflower Drive, Cane Garden, St. Thomas, that went up in flames around 5:20 p.m. Police were still at the scene, along with a number of curious onlookers, around 7 p.m. (JS) Source: www.nationnews.com

Fire broke out just after 2 p.m. yesterday in Goodland, St. Michael. By the time the smoke cleared three people were lucky to still have their home standing, while an unoccupied house was destroyed. Six fire officers under the command of acting Station Officer Christopher Edwards and Leading Fire Officer Alex Bynoe responded to the blaze which involved an unoccupied two bedroom, one bathroom house owned by Clifford Bishop, of Constant, St. George. An occupied three bedroom, one bathroom house owned by Rita Murray, of Bush Hall, St. Michael also received damage to the siding boards, three windows and the trimming boards. Two tenders, one from the headquarters at Probyn Street, The City and another from the Arch Hall Fire Station responded to the blaze. (JRB) Soure: Barbados Today

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart will officiate at his first Remembrance Day service this Sunday, November 14 in National Heroes Square, Bridgetown, as this country remembers those persons who lost their lives in the two world wars. The short inter-denominational service will get under way at 8:00 a.m. with two minutes silence and the sounding of the Last Post. Governor General, Sir Clifford Husbands, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, Leader of the Opposition, Owen Arthur and members of the diplomatic corps, will also lay wreaths at the Cenotaph. There will be a parade by armed units of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF), the Barbados Coast Guard, the band of the Royal Barbados Police Force and the Barbados Cadet Corps; as well as unarmed units of the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Prison Service, the Barbados Girl Guides Association, the band of the BDF, the St. John's Ambulance Service, the Barbados Red Cross, the Barbados Boy Scouts Association and members of the Barbados Legion....

The Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) 2010 Fire-Rescue-EMS Conference will be held in Montego Bay, Jamaica from November 28 - December 3, 2010 at the Rosehall Resort and Spa. The CAFC conference is the largest annual gathering of fire-rescue professionals in the Caribbean. The host department this year will be the Jamaica Fire Brigade lead by Commissioner Laurie Williams. For more information visit: http://www.caribbeanfirechiefs.org/

Barbadians will join the rest of the world in remembering servicemen and women who lost their lives in the World Wars, by observing Remembrance Day on Sunday, November 14. At the conclusion of two minutes silence and the sounding of the Last Post, Governor General, Sir Clifford Husbands, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and members of the diplomatic corps will lay wreaths at the war memorial in National Heroes Square, the City. The short interdenominational service will get under way at 8:00 a.m. and will feature a parade by members of the Barbados Defence Force, the Cadet Corps and other uniformed groups, as well as war veterans. Persons desirous of laying wreaths and relatives of those who gave their lives during the World Wars and wishing to be seated, should however, notify the Cabinet Office, Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St. Michael. Tickets can be collected from Cabinet Office, on weekdays, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ( CL/BGIS )

The Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service Association will host the Caribbean Association of Firefighters (CAFF) Good Will Games tomorrow at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima. The games, which begin at 10 am, will be attended by fire officers from Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Kitt’s and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Minister of Sports Anil Roberts, Minister in the Ministry of National Security Subhas Panday, and Chief Fire Officer Carl Williams are all expected to kick off the games with a special salute ceremony to all the officers from the region. CAFF President Charles Ramsaroop described the event as a significant milestone for the Association, as it showed their strong attempts at integrating a uniformed system throughout the Caribbean through training, sporting events, and cultural activities. “We would all have different backgrounds and different levels of training. This event brings together all those things in a very unique way,...

People watched in awe, despair, disgust and a slew of other emotions as historic Sam Lords Castle burned yesterday evening. Spectators from the surrounding area gathered to watch fire officials unsuccessfully battle the blaze which consumed the once stately building. Shareholder, Thomas Grant, called it a “disgrace”. “It is a disgrace to see the building left this way and now it has gone up in smoke,” he said. Grant said most of the buildings had already been destroyed by CLICO, who were in the process of acquiring the property, and the castle section was one of the few buildings left. Divisional Officer, Tyrone Trotman, said one of the problems they faced was a lack of nearby fire hydrants so they had to collect water from hydrants in the surrounding area and bring it to the combined ladder platform appliance for distribution. As the evening wore on, the fire continued to burn, when asked, Trotman said he had little hope of saving the building. Source: www.nationnews.com

A piece of Barbadian history last night went up in flames. Sam Lord’s Castle, the historic hotel property acquired by CLICO from previous owner Thomas Grant, was gutted by a fire which set the St. Phillip sky ablaze yesterday evening. The flames, which first appeared in the roof during the late afternoon, soon became a raging fire that engulfed the building as the evening progressed. Acting Fire Chief Lloydson Phillips told the Barbados Advocate that his department received reports of the fire at 5:41 p.m. and responded immediately. The scene was attended by five senior officers, 18 junior officers and five fire trucks. However, it was of little use as the main building was already overwhelmed by the bright orange flames. “The whole building was engulfed,” said acting Division Officer, Tyrone Trotman. However, firefighters made efforts to contain the fire to the building, which was surrounded by thick vegetation. “We are using a combined attack – aerial ladder platform and ground attac...

"Foot On Fire Pon De Boat" The officers and members of the Barbados Fire Service Sports and Social Club will take to the sea for their annual cruise on Friday, October 22, 2010 on board the M.V. Harbour Master from 10:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. Tickets can be obtained from Ryan Lovell 242-5533, David Vaughan 252-9199, Troy Gibbons 263-8712 or Grantley Greene 243-0824. Advance tickets are $45.00 and $50.00 at the dockside.

A “labour of love” is how co owner of Cafe Sol Jacinta Cothrin describes the Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar which was extensively damaged by fire in the early this morning. Jacinta, and her husband Mark Cothrin, say they received the call around 6 a.m. “Apparently, the fire happened just after 4 a.m but nobody managed to get through to us until minutes to six. Right now, we are not sure as to the extent of the damage as the police is not allowing anyone inside,” says Mark. The property is insured he says. Jacinta describes it as a “precious little spot” and says what happened was “awful”. “It was a very personal thing for is and it really hurts but we are determined to reopen, we won’t let this stop us,” she says. Fire officials report that two water tenders - one from Worthing and one from Probyn Street headquarters - responded to the fire. The operation was under the command of Divisional Officer Evans Morris. Investigations are continuing. Source: www.nationnews.com

It happened in a flash. One minute Charlotte Parris was sitting in her car waiting patiently for another vehicle to proceed through water; the next thing she knew she was deep in a ravine, standing on top her vehicle and grabbing onto branches for dear life. It was Friday evening that firemen and good Samaritans combined their efforts to pull a shaken Parris to safety, using an inner tube and some rope at the Belle, St Michael. Still too traumatised by last Friday evening’s life-threatening event, Charlotte could not speak to the DAILY NATION, so her father Mike Parris spoke on her behalf, saying his daughter was “unhurt, but still very shaken”. Parris, who recalled the event that could have claimed his daughter’s life, said she was giving great thanks to the Fire Service for the sterling job they performed in the rescue. “The Fire Service showed tremendous bravery. They responded very quickly with two tenders to the scene, headed by leading fire officer 80 Boyce. “I must say a special...

It was a rescue like no other. But firefighters - Andrew Boyce, Pernel McClean, Glenn Harewood and Anderson Barrow were up to the task. It was their efforts, with the assistance of some civilians that brought Charlotte Parris to safe ground after she was trapped on top her car with raging waters surrounding her. That rescue took about 15 minutes. Pernel McClean (left) relives the rescue during an interview with the Nation earlier today. Glenn Harewood was also on the scene using his muscle and might to bring the woman to safety. Source: www.nationnews.com

For the next two months, the Barbados Fire Service (BFS) will have a Land Rover LR3 at its service. The BFS was presented with the vehicle which is valued at over $350 000, along with hoses, smoke alarms, first aid kits and fire extinguishers, to assist their Fire Prevention and Community Relations Unit, during a ceremony at their Probyn Street headquarters yesterday. The materials, which were donated by the Rotary West of Barbados, G4S Security, and Warrens Motors, who also donated the vehicle, will be used to help in assisting the fire service with their fire prevention programmes. Chief Fire Officer, Wilfred Marshall, who was hand to witness the presentation, explained that for years the BFS had been spreading the message of fire prevention across Barbados, but due to several reasons including a lack of financial and equipment resources, as well as the absence of a dedicated Fire Prevention Unit, their efforts had been short lived. He pointed out, however, that with the help of thos...

Fire fighters plucked Charlotte Parris from atop the roof of this car in The Belle, St Michael yesterday after fierce waters forced it off the road and into a gully. It took the combined efforts of firemen and some good Samaritans to pull a shaken Parris to safety using an inner tube and some rope. The incident was one of several resulting from the downpour brought on by a combination of light winds and an abundance of low-level moisture and strong daytime heat. Parts of St Michael, St James and St Thomas were hard-hit by the rains. Source: www.nationnews.com

Chief Fire Officer Wilfred Marshall has expressed concern about the high number of structural fires taking place in Barbados, in particular private dwelling houses and commercial building fires. Marshall has noted that while some fires are due to carelessness on the part of homeowners and others have been deemed as “suspicious”, a number of these fires have been classified as “undetermined”. Homeowners and people in general still have a role to play in fire prevention, he has noted. Speaking to the Barbados Advocate yesterday at Barbados Fire Service Headquarters located at Probyn Street Bridgetown, the Chief Fire Officer lamented about the number of fires of which the origin has not been determined. “I am always concerned that we have a high percentage of undetermined fires. We work closely with the police in terms of determining the cause of fires and so it is not only the Fire Service that is involved in determining the cause of a fire. We work closely with them as they bring a fore...

The Barbados Fire Service in no way condones indiscriminate burning, also known as open burning in communities across Barbados. In fact, Chief Fire Officer Wilfred Marshall believes that this is a cultural practice which should be stamped out. Marshall shared his views with the Barbados Advocate on this matter this week. He noted that the Fire Service is presently working with a committee set up by Government, to explore whether legislation is needed to tackle the issue of indiscriminate burning in Barbados, as has been proposed to deal with smoking in public places. The smoking ban is set to come into effect this Friday, October 1st. “Our responsibility is to make sure that if people do burn, that they burn in a safe environment. But we have a national responsibility to join with other civic organisations and right now, there is a committee set up under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, which is looking at legislation to deal with the burning of refuse. They are still in discuss...

Source: news.barbadostoday.bb

Chief fire officer, Wilfred Marshall says the fire service in Barbados has been fully stretched this year. According to Mr. Marshall there's been an increase in the number of blazes across the country. Fires in all categories are up this year over the numbers recorded last year. Chief Fire Officer, Wilfred Marshall gave the statistics during a church service at the Collymore Rock Nazarene Church to mark fire service week. Mr. Marshall said there were 1990 fires in 2009, and to date 2284 this year, broken down like this. 19 commercial fires in 2009, and 20 up to September this year, 86 house fires in 2009, but 108 so far this year. The Fire Chief says the service's Prevention and Community Relations Department has also been busy, having trained over 24 thousand nursery and primary school students over the last three years, in fire prevention. He says they've also done training and other education drives at commercial and community organisations, recording close to one thousa...

Come next week, this country's Fire Service will celebrate its 55th anniversary. And to mark the occasion, the department will host several activities under the theme "Raising the Bar of Excellence through Service". The week will begin with divine worship on Sunday, September 26, at the Church of the Nazarene, Collymore Rock, St. Michael, starting at 8:00 a.m. There will also be a series of open days from Monday, September 27 to Friday, October 1, at all Fire Stations. These will commence at 10:00 a.m. and the public will have the opportunity to visit and tour the facilities. Also on Monday, September 27, there will be a health & safety extravaganza at the headquarters, of the Barbados Fire Service Probyn Street, Bridgetown. Visitors can get their cholesterol and blood pressure checked as well as know their HIV/AIDS status. Massages and pedicures will also be available, and tips on fire safety will be exhibited. The following day, Tuesday, September 28, there will be...

Firefighters did all that was humanly possible to save the lives of the six young women who perished in the Campus Trendz fire in Tudor Street, The City earlier this month. Reeling under widespread public condemnation over the handling of the September 3 tragedy, Chief Fire Officer Wilfred Marshall said the attacks had damaged the morale of the Fire Department. “There were fire officers who actually cried because they were on the scene working and they gave of their best. They felt very hurt when all these negative comments were coming at them as if no effort was made to reach the victims in the fire,” he told the WEEKEND NATION in an exclusive interview yesterday. Marshall said some of his firefighters placed their own lives on the line, reaching as much as 25 feet to 30 feet within the raging inferno. “The impression coming from members of the public that the firefighters didn’t make any effort to save [the victims] was far from the truth.” Describing the blaze as one of the toughest...

Some members of the public have been threatening fire officers to the point where they fear for their own safety at some fire scenes. In a telephone interview yesterday, acting Chief Fire Officer Wilfred Marshall said there had been at least two reports of verbal abuse at fire scenes recently, adding that his officers needed to focus on the job at hand and not be distracted. “Ever since [the fatal September 3 Tudor Street fire] there have been negative comments about us on call-in programmes. on at least two occasions, in St Michael and Christ Church, we have had some hostile remarks made to officers as they responded to fires and some officers have been scared by some of those remarks. “We understand the situation; we are trying to be professional and we are asking people to also be understanding to the circumstances we operate in. When we are called to a fire, we cannot be distracted and looking over our shoulder at people making threats. Let us focus on the mission, which is fightin...

President of the Caribbean Association of Firefighters Charles Ramsaroop says the association would be approaching heads of departments regionally for firefighters to access advance training. In an interview yesterday, Ramsaroop, who is also president of the local Fire Service Association said: “There was a strategic plan for a memorandum of understanding where we can access training from other islands and from the T&T Fire Service. Some islands do not have that level of training and expertise.” The executive body of the association met last weekend at Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre. Representatives from Guyana, Dominica, Barbados, St Lucia, Martinique and Trinidad and Tobago attended. Ramsaroop said: “We want all the members to be able to access training techniques in fire-fighting, We will be approaching representatives in Martinique who has training facilities. We will be writing to the Barbados Fire Service to access two areas of training.” The association is expected to ...

Police and fire personnel now have a stronger foundation in their examination of fire and arson cases. This comes as 21 participants from local and regional emergency agencies took part in a fire and arson investigations course last week at the Regional Police Training Centre at Paragon. “From a local perspective, we within the Royal Barbados Police Force have not been very successful in our investigation of fires,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police Oral Williams, adding that this stemmed from a lack of skills and expertise in the investigation of such incidents. “The lack of these skills has serious implications for a community. For one, when persons are able to intentionally set fires and are not identified and are not brought to justice, it engenders a confidence with the perpetrators and can act as a catalyst for repeated acts,” he stated on Friday evening during the closing ceremony. He said fires often resulted in insurance companies having to make great payouts in loss to ot...

Six people perished last night in a blaze that could go down as one of Barbados’ worst human tragedies. A fire believed to have started by two men who robbed the Campus Trendz store in Tudor Street, The City, engulfed the two-storey building along the busy shopping street, trapping the hapless victims within the inferno. Confirmed dead is 18-year-old Shanna Griffith, an employee of the store who reportedly died in an ambulance en route to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Unconfirmed reports also indicated that five other females perished, including a toddler, other staff and customers. A female supervisor also had to be treated on the scene for several cutlass wounds, believed to have been inflicted by one of the robbers. Up to press time, her condition was unknown. According to police, the two robbers, in view of shocked customers, threw an incendiary device into Campus Trendz just before 7 p.m., after taking an undisclosed amount of cash. An eyewitness told the SATURDAY SUN he was stand...

Horror. That was the situation last night in Bridgetown when at approximately 7:05 pm the first emergency respondents attended to a fire at Campus Trendz Boutique, Tudor Street, the scene of an unsuccessful robbery attempt. Hundreds of curious onlookers gathered behind several barricades erected by officials on both ends of the street to witness the horrifying events which unfolded before their eyes. As it became apparent that persons had been trapped inside the building and were injured, perhaps fatally, the mood turned sombre as grieving family members turned to emergency personnel for solace. Up to press time, Inspector David Welch, Public Relations Officer for the Royal Barbados Police Force, confirmed that one injured female was taken away by ambulance and an additional five female bodies were confirmed to be inside of the building which had been consumed by thick, acrid smoke. Welch indicated that all efforts were being made to search the remaining areas within the two-storey bui...

Investigations are continuing into a fire yesterday at a St Lawrence hotel complex still under construction. Fire officials responded to around 8:30 a.m. to a call at the hotel, owned by Ocean Two Ltd. A fire officer told the media there was damage to a stove, windows and some boxes but the fire was contained within ten minutes, causing only moderate damage. One worker said he was in one of the rooms when he saw people running and shouting: “Bring a bucket,” but had no idea what was going on. Eight fire officers, under the command of Station Officer Ormond Fenty, responded to the fire, utilising a fire tender from Worthing and another tender as well as an aerial appliance from Probyn Street Headquarters. Site foreman with contractors Shelby Construction, Trevor Lucas, said construction on the hotel began in February 2008. It employs more than 100 workers. (CA) Source: www.nationnews.com

Fifteen people were left homeless this afternoon when fire tore through their Hothersal Turning, St. Michael home just after 4:15. Not even the swift response of the Barbados Fire Service and neighbours could save the wooden structure, which was owned by Jackie Griffith and occupied by her children and their offspring. According to Janelle Griffith, who has lived in the house for all of her 30 years, only her sister Katrina was at home when the blaze started and she was asleep. "We are still trying to figure out what happened," Janelle Griffith said to Barbados TODAY, while pointing out as darkness set in that the family still did not know where they would spend the night. Among those left homeless were: Kimberley Griffith, who will be 23 tomorrow, Katrina, 20, Tasha "Sherry-Ann" Broomes, 25, Sheldeene Applewhaite, 34, and Sherry Murrell, 30 along with children Jerome Blackman, Jakobi, Sheridan, Amari, Kadija and Kayla Murrell and Fabian Griffith. Late this evening ...

We are please to announce the launch of our online store. Members of the public are invited to visit the store and view over 30 different products available for purchase. To order merchandise all you need is a Visa Card, MasterCard or American Express Card. Payments may also be made using Pay-Pal as well.

The twenty-three junior fire cadets who graduated from the 10th annual Barbados Fire Service Junior Fire Cadet Programme on Friday evening were encouraged to continue on the path towards becoming skilled firemen and women of the Barbados Fire and Rescue Service. Master of Ceremonies, Roger Bourne, divulged some of the future plans for the programme: “It has been the service’s desire over the years to take these children after they have passed through and bring them back into a structured environment where they can use those skills comfortably for the development of the service. “It has been taking some time but I am sure that some point in the future we will be able to achieve that objective, where we can invite the young ones to come back and perhaps go along with some of the senior fire officers in installing smoke alarms in the houses of elderly persons and other community services,” he stated during an enjoyable and well attended ceremony at the Arch Hall Fire Station in Thomas. He...

A daring daylight robbery at Chicken Galore came to a fiery conclusion on Bank Hall Main Road, St. Michael around 3:20 this afternoon. Depot manager Ingrid Eastmond said a man entered the store and demanded money from the cashier, which he received. However, he immediately lit a piece of cloth in a bottle he was carrying and threw it behind the counter resulting in the store becoming engulfed in flames. This forced staff and customers inside the store to scamper for safety as the fire quickly spread. A visibly shaken employee Wendy Ross, who was in the store at the time, was seated in a car awaiting the arrival of an ambulance, when a Barbados TODAY team arrived on the scene. But up until 5 p.m. the ambulance had not arrived. Meanwhile, other employees stood nearby and watched as firemen worked at extinguishing the blaze. The road was quickly cordoned off by police as traffic began to build with the approach of rush hour and crowds began to gather. One regular customer said she was par...

Firefighters are in the process of interviewing residents in New Orleans in a fire prevention campaign targeted directly at residents of Bridgetown and its environs. This community risk assessment survey of households in and around The City is in preparation for the Fighting Fire With Fire Protection Programme. It is tailored to reduce residential house fires and improve life safety conditions. Members of the Barbados Fire Service Fire Prevention and Community Relations Unit are calling on households daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “We are collecting data about fire and other hazards which may exist in these communities, for implementing a strategy to reduce the level of risk, improve life safety and furnish residents with knowledge, tools and equipment,” said Acting Chief Fire Officer Randolph Cox. “They could then respond appropriately to certain incidents while in the initial stages, consequently limiting the chances of outright or total loss in some instances.” The Fire Service and th...

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. Source: www.nationnews.com

Members of the public are encouraged to exercise caution during this busy Crop Over weekend period. As the level of alcohol consumption increases, motorist should be extremely vigilant on our highways. The Barbados Fire Service will be continuing its operational deployment by providing fire/rescue coverage and complimentary stand by (mass crowd events) at the following events; Bridgetown Market, Cohobblopot and Grand Kadooment. Photo compliments: Antonio Beckles

Attendant Jamar Gittens was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after being injured when a car careered off the road into the Shell Service Station at Triple D Enterprises Complex at Mapp Hill, St Michael, about 6:30 p.m. yesterday. The gas pump beside which Gittens was seated was struck by the car. Both police and Barbados Fire Service officials went to the scene and the immediate area was barred from vehicular and pedestrian traffic as a precaution because of the gasoline fumes escaping from the pump. An elderly couple was in the vehicle but neither reportedly received injuries. They declined to speak to the Press. Source: www.nationnews.com

Janice Holder and 45 children from the Rising Stars Child Care Services Summer camp enjoyed a fun-filled tour of Fire Service Headquarters this morning. The Rising Stars summer camp which is based in St George was making their first ever visit to a fire station.

Junior Maloney has no idea where he got the strength to pull both his 17-month-old daughter and 80-plus-year-old grandmother from their burning home – but thanks to God he was able to. Maloney was describing to the SUNDAY SUN what happened last Tuesday when his uncle Shirley Holder’s home was virtually destroyed by fire. It was clear the 37-year-old graphic artist spared little thought for himself. “I was talking to my aunt next door when we smelled something funny. She went to look and then I heard her scream, ‘Shirley! Bring back water!’ When I ran out, the fire was already in their verandah,” he said. The fire consumed most of Holder’s 1st Avenue, Promenade Road, St Michael, home which he shared with his wife, daughter and three grandchildren, and soon spread next door to the home of Maloney’s grandmother Pearl Holder, where Maloney and his daughter live. Maloney said they initially tried to slow the fire, but he soon realised it was a lost cause and sprang to action in getting his ...

It’s not every day that children get the first-hand experience of feeling like a fire officer. And yesterday these three, under the watchful eye of Fire Officer 311 Reshelle Griffith, were fascinated when they felt the power of the water hose, at the Arch Hall Fire Station. The three, who held fast as they tried to control the hose, were among the group of 26 trainees, in the Junior Fire Cadet Programme, who are undergoing rigorous training and discipline in a number of areas. Source: www.nationnews.com