The site of the fire.
NASSAU, The Bahamas--Three stalls at the fish fry in George Town, Exuma, were destroyed in a fire on Friday, leaving some residents without their livelihoods while others questioned where long-promised fire safety measures were.
“The impact, I mean that’s a lot of livelihoods right there,” Chamber of Commerce Vice President Yvette Rolle said on Sunday.
She added, “Can you imagine, preparing for a Friday, when your business usually has its peak on the weekend and this happens?”
Nobody was injured in the fire, which was eventually contained and extinguished with the use of heavy equipment.
Rolle said the fire began at one of the stalls and quickly spread to two others. She said quick thinking to make use of the equipment available nearby to stop the spread may have saved many of the other businesses at the fish fry.
“The stalls are made out of wood, and you know how flames and wood go,” Rolle said.
“It just caught and spread. The third stall, the back of it caught and to avoid it catching the other ones, they pushed it onto the sand area to avoid it catching or spreading.”
Videos of the blaze quickly circulated on social media as many asked why there were no fire trucks to respond.
In a statement on the matter, Exuma and Ragged Island Member of Parliament (MP) Chester Cooper said Exuma is still awaiting a fire truck from the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF).
“Regrettably, we experienced a fire at the fish fry in Exuma today [Friday, October 4, 2024 – Ed.],” he said.
“I can sadly confirm that we lost three stalls. Fortunately, no one was injured. A few years ago, my office acquired several water bowsers and trailers in a partnership with local government, which have been strategically placed across the island, which extends 45 miles.
“This was a strategic solution until the RBPF acquired and allocated a fire engine to Exuma. We will continue to work with the RBPF for delivery of the firetruck and the necessary training once it arrives.”
Rolle said in addition to the lack of fire trucks on Exuma, the hydrant that is located near the fish fry was not working.
“Fire safety is such an issue here on the island,” she said.
She added, “There has to be a conversation with business owners in regards to fire safety. I don’t mean just because of the fish fry, but just in general.”
Cooper assured on Friday that government will help with the rebuilding of the businesses lost to the fire.
“I have reached out to the vendors and assured them of my support and that of the government in assisting with the rebuilding of their establishments,” he said.
In a statement on Sunday, Cooper further noted that he would donate his annual MP salary towards the relief efforts.
“This morning, I visited the site of the fire at the fish fry, along with owners of the establishments that were lost,” he said.
“We’re still not sure what caused the fire, but losing one’s business is hard no matter what. I offered my thoughts and prayers, but I pledged to give more than that. Every year I donate my annual MP salary to a different cause in the constituency, and this year I’ll be donating the $28,000 towards the fire relief to help rebuild these businesses and make the fish fry safer.” ~ The Nassau Guardian ~
