A Laventille businessman was left homeless after his home and hardware were reduced to ashes yesterday after fire gutted his business place.
Ramesh Bachew, part owner of H Bachew Hardware, along the Eastern Main Road, adjacent to Simpson’s Funeral Home, told the media his home and business went up in flames after the fire began at the warehouse, located to the back of the hardware and adjacent to his home.
“The fire started in the lumber warehouse and it quickly enveloped the entire place. That section of the hardware was closed. My house next to it was burnt as well.
“Fire happened about 11.30 am and fire officers responded within five minutes. They tried their best, at times, but was hampered by lack of water,” Bachew said.
The business was gutted in 1978 and has been in existence since 1968, he said.
Bachew said that he would have to start over “from scratch” as he did not have insurance. The damage to the property was estimated at $3 million, according to fire officials.
President of the Fire Services Association Leo Ramkissoon, who was at the scene, called on the powers that be to give the Fire Services the recognition it deserves.
He commended his officers who he said did an excellent job in extinguishing the blaze despite a lack of equipment.
“I can’t say what is the plan of the Government regarding the provision of funds for the purchase of equipment for the Fire Services, however, the Fire Services is an essential service and if priorities are to be made it should be top priority.
“The safety of the citizens of T&T must be taken very seriously and Fire Services should be placed high on priority listings for provisions of adequate equipment and appliances,” Ramkissoon added.
He said yesterday’s fire, though unfortunate, highlighted the lack of equipment for his officers including breathing apparatus sets which he said were limited.
Ramkissoon said at present the Fire Services was not satisfactorily equipped, adding that the fire would have been put out sooner if the officers had the proper equipment.
Ramkissoon said two fire stations responded—Wrightson Road headquarters and San Juan—with three trucks from Wrightson Road and one from San Juan.
He said that of the 23 fire stations within the division there were only three ladders, which was unacceptable.