MP for the Barataria/San Juan constituency Dr Fuad Khan is calling for the perpetrators who allegedly set fire to Chancellor Hill in Port-of-Spain last week to be arrested and charged.
During the blaze, forest ranger Keith Campbell, 56, lost his life while attempting to prevent the spread of the fire.
Khan, who echoed the sentiments of the Chancellor Hill residents, also asked that Campbell’s death not be in vain, adding that fire prevention authorities had a responsibility to investigate the matter thoroughly.
“Such matters are covered by the Agricultural Fires Act of 1965 which governs the act of starting fires outside of our homes during the fire season, and offenders who illegally start outdoor fires can be fined $1,500 and imprisoned for six months if they are caught.
“That being said, that this incident was directly responsible for the loss of Mr Campbell’s life means that not only can these persons be charged with breaches of the Agricultural Fires Act, but also manslaughter, if they are found,” Khan said.
He said each year, forest and bush fires caused severe damage not only to wildlife, flora and fauna but also property and in some cases resulted in the loss of human life.
While there was legislation that governed the act of lighting outdoor fires, it was, however, not upheld or enforced.
“Those who are defiant are then allowed to perform these illegal activities without consequence or penalty, and as such, the number of incidents will increase.
“Persons who use fires as a means to clear land for either agricultural purposes or squatting will continue to use this method unless the penalties for this practice are increased. Not only do these fires cause damage to the land which they are inhabiting, but it also severely hampers water retention thereby resulting in the flooding of downtown Port-of-Spain and other low-lying areas during the annual rainy season,” Khan added.
He said upon initial investigation it was suspected that the fire, in which Campbell lost his life, was lit by someone who wanted to dispose of garbage.
“It is therefore imperative that the person who ignited it be arrested and charged for this crime,” Khan urged.
Over the weekend two 40-foot containers and one 20-foot container containing tyres and car parts caught afire at the Port Authority’s Spectrum Compound, Invaders Bay. The blaze was caused by a brush fire at Invaders Bay.