Photos: Fire Service Responds In Hamilton

October 27, 2016

[Updated] The Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service are responding to the Government Administration Building in Hamilton, and an audible fire alarm can be heard. Further details are limited at this time, however we will update as able.

Update 5.31pm: Police confirm that the area surrounding the building has been cordoned off whilst the matter is being attended to.

Update 5.34pm: You can watch a live video via Bernews Periscope account here.

Update 5.47pm: The alarm can still be heard, and emergency personnel remain on scene. As pictured below, firefighters were seen on top of the building, wetting it down. The road remains blocked off at the time.

Update 5.54pm: The Fire Service explained what happened — audio to come — and confirmed that the “incident is over”, and said the staff will be allowed back in the building and the road will be open shortly.

Update 5.58pm: The road is now re-opening, and the audio from the BFRS is below

Update 6.19pm: In explaining what happened, Chief Burchall said, “Workers were working on the roof, and they were burning some of the roofing material to try to remove it. Some sparks went over to some cardboard that was left stood on the roof.

“The workers actually used a garden hose to actually extinguish it. Some smoke was actually brought into the building by the air conditioning unit. That has been cleared up, the alarm has been reset, and as far as I’m concerned the incident is over.”

Update 9.20pm: National Security Minister Jeff Baron this evening commended the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service ‎for their quick response,

Minister Baron, who was on the scene during the incident, said the matter was handled with “extreme professionalism”, including the evacuation of Civil Service personnel and members of the public who were inside the building.

“While not a serious incident, Minister Baron noted that he was gratified to learn that there were no injuries or major infrastructure damage. The Minister is expected to be provided a full briefing on the matter from the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service in due course,” the Ministry said.

Update 9.48pm: The BFRS said, “At approximately 5:15pm on Thursday, October 27, 2016 the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service received a report of visual smoke of unknown origin at the Government Administration Building on Parliament Street in Hamilton. The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service responded to the incident with 1 vehicle and 4 personnel.

Fire Service spokesperson Staff Officer Delton White said, “On our arrival there was smoke seen emitting from the rooftop of the building.

“The responding officer in charge, Lieutenant A. Jay Donawa, stated that on his arrival he made his way to the roof of the building to find a pallet of items wrapped in cellophane and cardboard on fire but being attended to by construction workers on scene with a water hose.

“The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service personnel then quickly extinguished the remainder of the fire before it could spread any further.”

“There were no injuries or damage to the building as a result of the fire.”

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Category: Accidents and fires, All, News, Photos

Comments (7)

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  1. Family Man says:

    Hmmmm … Where’s the immigration department located?

  2. wahoo says:

    Oh no! Please tell me that they weren’t struck down by a bolt of lightening.

    • Family Man says:

      The most frequently hit buildings are churches. We know the science of why but the image of Thor throwing lightening bolts into the home of jesus is amusing.

  3. Mare says:

    So….this report is stating that it IS OKAY to burn your rubbish on the roof if you have it under control? Really? And in the Centre of Hamilton?

    There was smoke pollution into Reid Street. Were there any toxic fumes?

  4. mm says:

    I note the Minister,s remarks on the fire, and also his remarks in reference to the recent hurricane ,,, but there have been no remarks by the Minister on the bus that was attacked in somerset carrying Dandy Town players. What confidence can the community have when there are no reports of the Minister being pro active and doing walk-abouts in various parts of the Island late afternoons to 8pm.