Fire truck of the Caribbean Netherlands Fire Department in the historical core of Oranjestad in St. Eustatius. (File photo)
ST. EUSTATIUS--The St. Eustatius branch of the Caribbean Netherlands Fire Department was called out to deal with two fires within a 36-hour period. The first fire concerned a small garbage fire at the entrance of historical Fort Oranje early New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1, The second fire took place at Golden Rock Resort one day later.
The fire department was dispatched shortly after the turn of the year on January 1, with the fire personnel returning to base around 2:00am.
At 11:42am on Saturday, January 2, a call came in about a fire at Golden Rock Resort, which is located at the back of The Quill volcano. Persons on the scene said they tried to contact the emergency services to notify them that a fire was taking place at the resort, but were unable to get into contact with anyone. One fire fighter was then contacted on his personal phone number to notify the fire department that a fire was taking place. The fireman then contacted his shift leader, who dispatched two fire trucks to the resort.
A resident in the area mentioned that he smelled a fire. He made sure that his home was not on fire and saw that the fire was taking place at the five-star luxury resort, which is slated to open its doors in March. No more details about the fire have been forthcoming.
