Yet another family was left homeless by a fire Tuesday evening. Again the close proximity of structures and narrow streets presented a challenge to the Fire Department.
That Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure officials immediately declared the ruins a hazard zone and ordered their demolition may seem rather harsh to some. However, it is obviously considered a necessary step to ensure public safety and health, based also on experience from the past.
It was good to hear Prime Minister William Marlin say during Wednesday’s press briefing that he had visited the victims temporarily located at Paradise Inn and that personnel of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA were already assisting them. Together with St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SHDF) a solution will be sought for the affected residents.
Some might wonder who will pay for the motel room and other expenses to be incurred in this matter, but it involves a human tragedy and is a question of solidarity, just like, for example, helping people affected by hurricanes. Funds to provide at least initial relief in such cases should clearly always be found by any self-respecting community.
Another issue is the continued lack of proper zoning laws and poor enforcement of building codes over the years. This leads to overcrowded neighbourhoods that –especially when they have many wooden structures – become potential firetraps.
Nobody is suggesting the widespread bulldozing of existing homes with all possible consequences, but better control on construction practices, including expansions without a permit, seems extremely important going forward, to prevent the situation from getting out of hand even more. Like it or not, it’s in the best general interest, certainly for the future, that things are done strictly by the book from now on.
