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Published On: Wed, Jan 24th, 2018

Fire department battled Cole Bay fire on Tuesday

fire as truck heads to the scene

GREAT BAY – The Fire Department had its hands full on Tuesday morning having to simultaneously deal with two fires in Cole Bay.

The Fire Department responded with four fire trucks and two water trucks to a fire in a warehouse complex in Cole Bay. The trucks arrived on the scene around 10.30am shortly after receiving the fire alarm.

The fire sent billowing black smoke into the air. The cause of the fire after an investigation is a result of welding that was taking place on the roof of the building. The warehouse belonged to a business and the building contained non-alcoholic beverages, lard (cooking oil), paper and Styrofoam containers.

fire dept cole bay fire pix 1

Residents and businesses in the surrounding area were alerted by the Police to close windows and doors. Within an hour the fire was brought under control and contained to the immediate warehouse where it started.

A lot of water was required to bring the fire under control. Fire personnel used fire hydrants in the immediate area as well as two water trucks that it received from The Netherlands after the passing of Hurricane Irma and now forms part of the department’s firefighting assets.

fire dept cole bay fire pix 2

On Tuesday afternoon fire crews remained at the scene to extinguish hot spots within the warehouse. The department was assisted by the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Management (Ministry VROMI) with heavy equipment, which was used to clear burnt debris within the warehouse in order to reach hotspots.

Fire fighters were not able to enter the warehouse because one of the floors within the structure had partially collapsed, and due to the heat, cracks started to form in the outer walls with the high risk of a possible collapse.

fire dept cole bay fire pix 3 heavy equipmt

PHOTO’S: Fire crews in action at a warehouse in Cole Bay.