Fire crews battle with major brush fire in GT
Brush fire in George Town, 13 March 2016
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Fire Service was kept busy yesterday as they battled to get a brush fire under control in the capital. A major fire on an empty lot off Anthony Drive behind Passadora Place, near to the Cayman Islands Hospital, got out of control Sunday lunchtime and firefighters were called to the blaze, which CNS understands was contained by crews before any damage was done to surrounding property.
Category: Local News
How and why did this fire started
Based on recent changes here in the fire service I can assure the country that they better hope that there is never a major fire like the Royal Palms Hotel because I am fearful that lives are going to be lost. I make this prediction because the fire service response capability has been downgraded since the arrival of our new chief fire officer. The development is on the rise with 10 story buildings and more to come and we have downgraded our emergency response capability. I intend to do my best to ensure that my family is as safe as possible. That is all I can say other than that I am really scared. I am asking CNS to check with the new chief on this very serious matter. Ask the question of what level of protection are we now offering to visitors including tourists at our hotels and those conducting business in our large buildings especially in our capital where they are in such close proximity to each other. We have four officers on a shift now compared to five which was already too little. Ask yourself how much rescue and firefighting can a two or three man team do. I say this because all four can not go inside a building to rescue and firefight. The officer in charge has to be outside to manage the scene. I am so afraid for my fellow fire fighters I can even sleep in the night. This is the worst state I have ever seen the fire service in. This change just happened very recently. I don’t know how my new chief can put the people of the country at such a risk. It is truly frightening. Hotel operators need to be very concern with this situation and the country on a whole.