~ Not believed to be arson ~
ST. EUSTATIUS--An office chair and a table on the porch of the Godet House, which housed the St. Eustatius Tourist Office, were the only things left unscathed from a fire that completely consumed the office on Friday.
The interior of the building was gutted and everything was completely destroyed. The estimated losses incurred could not be ascertained and it could not be determined how the loss would set back the work of the Tourist Office.
This chair and table on the porch of the St. Eustatius Tourist Office were the only things left standing after the fire.
The front of the St. Eustatius Tourist Office after the fire.
The back of the St. Eustatius Tourist Office following the blaze.
When asked whether there was any indication whether the fire was arson, Inspector Chief of Basic Police Care St. Eustatius Robelto Hodge said: “So far [there are – Ed.] no indications it was arson. But we are still busy with our routine preliminary [forensic] technical investigation as well as our tactical investigation to determine the cause.”
Recounting how fire officers battled the big blaze, St. Eustatius Fire Chief Andre Bennett said luckily wind was on their side as it blew the fire away from an adjacent building.
The department initially used water from the St. Eustatius Utility Company STUCO to combat the fire, but the water pressure from STUCO was not always consistent. Thinking ahead, the Caribbean Netherlands Fire Department, St. Eustatius branch called Global Terminal Investments (GTI) Statia for assistance and the company sent a water truck to assist. As the GTI Statia water truck emptied, the truck returned to the GTI Statia facility to refill and return to the scene of the fire.
This occurred throughout the evening. Later in the night, the Fire Department transferred to using cistern water at the Tourist Office. The department did not want to completely use STUCO’s water and deprive residents of water. STUCO had turned off the water for other districts to ensure that water would be available to combat the fire. St. Eustatius is currently under a water-rationing schedule with residents receiving water twice daily, due to ongoing leaks and drought.
The department used a pump to access the water from the cistern at the Tourist Office. Firefighters managed to contain the fire to a distance of 10 or fewer metres away from the nearest house in the densely populated area.
The heat from the fire melted electrical equipment at an adjacent building. On Saturday, May 23, STUCO lineman Alex Arnell visited the scene to ensure that the electricity in the adjacent house was okay.
STUCO also had a leak at Fort Oranjestraat on Saturday, several metres away from where the fire occurred. Another leak was discovered in the Lower Town area, as the fire department was battling the blaze.
Deputy Government Commissioner Alida Francis said St. Eustatius has lost a monument that housed its Tourist Office. When she arrived at the scene she was overcome by several emotions, but maintained strength that trumped them all. She tipped her hat to the Fire Department, GTI Statia and the police.
The deputy commissioner said the hard work of everyone involved, helped to contain the fire and saved surrounding historical landmarks, which she said is in itself, a major achievement.
“What gave my emotions the biggest boost was to witness the resilience, courage, [and – Ed.] spirit of cooperation of Statians. As I observed from a bit closer, I saw young boys who felt the sense of urgency. These young boys at some point did their internship at the Fire Department. They aspire to one day become firemen. Their response was admirable. This reminds me of a fire on the same Kerkweg that damaged the home of David Shaw almost 35 years ago.
“Thanks to onlookers for respecting the commands of law enforcement who skilfully closed off all access [to] streets and alleys. The resilience of a country is determined by the courage and strength of its people,” Francis said.
Bennett commended his men, Fire Department trainees, GTI Statia and volunteers for working tirelessly throughout the night to get the fire under control.
This is the second fire to destroy an historical building on the island in several months. The first fire occurred at the Old School apartment building, on Thursday, September 26, 2019.
