Off-duty fireman prevents disaster

QUICK work by an off-duty fireman prevented a potential disaster when the officer noticed flames coming from a Siparia business compound while on his way to work, and swung into action, breaking into a bakery and dousing the fast-spreading flames with a garden hose.

Operations at the Master Baker Bakery have been put on hold until clean-up operations are completed. Although there was an estimated $15,000 in damage, Ragoonath Sammy, who co-owns the bakery with Kaloutie Ramsaroop, was still thankful that off-duty Fire Sub Officer (FSO) Asson intervened and brought the blaze under control. “Thank goodness he (FSO Asson) saw the blaze and took action or things could have been worse. We will have to start over...this is our livelihood,” Sammy told Newsday. FSO Asson’s intervention probably saved, not only the bakery, but also a nearby clothing store, liquor mart, restaurant and living quarters. The fire reportedly began at 8.25 am.  

According to reports, Asson was on his way to work at the Siparia fire station when, on passing the compound, he noticed smoke coming from the bakery. After quickly assessing the situation, FSO Asson broke into the bakery using a sledge hammer and doused the flames with a garden hose. He got assistance from several persons, whom he met trying to enter the burning bakery. A report was made to the Siparia Fire Station and a team of officers led by FSO Ramnanan and including Fire Officers Calder, James, Ramjattan, Constantine and Mc Kenzie arrived on the scene and further doused the smouldering ruins with their high-powered hoses to prevent re-ignition. Landlord Ramrit Mahatoo told Newsday the blaze started on the roof and he believed it to be electrical in nature. However, investigators said they would not speculate as to the cause of the blaze, saying that further investigations needed to be carried out. Cpl Hunte of the Siparia CID also visited the scene and recorded statements from several persons.