OBA, PLP Thank Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service
Both the PLP and OBA have extended their thanks to the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service for their efforts in extinguishing the fire on Front Street, and also expressed their support for the businesses that have been affected by the fire.
At approximately 4.30am yesterday morning [July 21], a fire broke out on Front Street, with Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service deploying 16 vehicles and over 30 members to battle the blaze.
The blaze caused major damage to the buildings and resulted in office closures and traffic disruptions. However there were no reported injuries to civilians or emergency personnel and the BFRS has been widely praised for preventing the fire from spreading any further.
A slideshow showing the fire and the aftermath
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Walter Roban’s Comments
Shadow Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban said, “The Progressive Labour Party wishes to express our sincere gratitude to the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service for their response to the extensive fire which began yesterday morning and continued to impact the affected area into the evening.
“We are grateful that, due to the attention and professional work of the emergency services, there was no loss of life and the spread of the fire was limited.
“We also hope that in light of reports that the efforts of the BFRS may have been hampered by a disabled truck, plans have been made to rectify this so our emergency personnel have all the resources they need to keep our community safe in the future.
“We wish to express our support for the businesses that have been affected by the fire, and it is our hope that all businesses and organizations affected will be given the support needed to resume operations as soon as possible.”
Lynne Woolridge’s Comments
In a separate statement yesterday, OBA Chair Senator Lynne Woolridge said, “The One Bermuda Alliance offers our sympathy to those affected by the devastating fire in Hamilton.
“Today is a sad day for Bermuda and the tenants of 77-81 Front Street; Onion Jack’s, the Chewstick Foundation, the Queen Management Companies – Bermuda Executive Services, Atlantic Caregiving and Island Bargains – and other affected businesses that contribute so much to the fabric of our community.
“While it is fortunate there were no injuries, the losses to the organisations and businesses affected will be devastating. We will join with the community to support the rebuilding of these organisations and businesses and urge anyone who can assist to do so in whatever way they can.
“On behalf of everyone affected and all residents of Bermuda, we offer sincere thanks to the emergency services, the Bermuda Police Service, EMTs and the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service who responded quickly and professionally to bring the blaze under control.”
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Category: Accidents and fires, All, News
Why has the ladder truck been out of service? Watching the situation from across the harbor it seems possible that things may have been contained had the truck been on site. they were soaking the alley and FBM building when it flared up in the opposite rear corner. Would a large high-lift be cheaper?
De money to fix de ladder firetruck went towards America’s Cup.
LOL!
Idiot
sage, why you worrying about that?? All was taking care of and nobody was hurt, power of positive thinking.. Geesh
The building was completely destroyed, the ladder truck could have made it possible to control or extinguish the fire earlier, ignoring reality is not “positive thinking”. Question remains, why is the truck not functional?
Yeah its been out of service for a year. Thats unacceptable. If the fire was bigger we really could have found ourselves in alot of trouble.
Someone needs to be held accountable.The public have a right to know.
Why has it taken so long?
Who ordered the part?
Who followed up?
Where was it coming from?
Guarantee its on the way now.
Let’s see if OBA are mending fences and will be transparent about this.
Sad to see the damage.
Another sad item is a missing ladder truck.
I mean we rent people to protest and march and then when part of the economy is about to be destroyed then get rent a crane.
Keen Rental.
Thank God we have not reached rent-a-cop/ fireman.
Shalom.
People march and protest because of dumb S!@# like this, our infrastructre and Emergency vehicles are falling apart and we celebrate giving $77 Million to Billionaires for a sailboat race.
Unbef!@#inglievable
Rent people for a protest?
Who are you…
It is nice to acknowledge ONE VOICE concerning the 2 political parties.
There are major undercurrents involving both parties but they have come together, it would appear, to express their sentiment about the horrific fire.
Great things happen when people can come together instead of tearing each other apart!
a truck was out of service? shameful. hopefully from this Mr. baron learns that they cant keep cutting workers short of supplies.
Ok…The Govt. Should increase the supplies and cut the workers…and I’m not talking Firemen either!…What’s Unf#@kin’ believable is the people that blame the OBA!…The PLP crashed the vehicle! Now at least the OBA has it rollin forward again…BUT it don’t look pretty…Can’t keep paying wages to half of Bermuda AND supply them too…
No one is blaming anyone. The people want to know why a valuable tool wasnt able to be used when we needed it.
almost 48 hours and still no Official statement releasing the “cause” for this fire.
To me that seems a little strange.
Looking at the video and early pictures of the blaze at 4-5 am where the fire looked somewhat contained it’s surprising how Vast and complete the total damage ended up being. People are blaming not having a high ladder truck……. However, I’m hearing that perhaps the firefighters were battling an up hill fight as there may have been “fire accelerators” on site in the store to spread the fire.
My fingers are crossed that this was just an accident and that there wasn’t something more sinister behind this tragedy.
Yes an exhausting day of thank you s