Debris sparks fire at Salvatori

DEBRIS inside Salvatori Building, which is currently being demolished, caused a small fire at the building on Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. “Thank God we responded in time and were able to get to the source of the fire,” a fire officer told Sunday Newsday. “If things were a little worse, it could have been as big as last Saturday’s fire. If the contractors don’t hurry and spread the debris in even proportions on the floor so we can put it out properly, there are chances it could reignite.” The fire broke out at around 1.15 pm while demolition workers were cutting away a portion of the first floor. According to a report, sparks from a welding torch came into contact with some discarded celotex on the ground floor causing it to ignite.

The situation was made worse when concrete from the first floor collapsed onto the burning celotex, making it difficult for the workers to put out the fire. Eventually the fire services were called in. After dousing the area with water, the fire officers instructed the contractor, Thau Mungal Contractors, to spread out the debris to prevent a recurrence. Fire officers were due to return to the scene late yesterday. Last Saturday the People’s Mall and six stores located between Henry and Frederick Streets, were gutted in a fire that left scores of people unemployed and caused millions of dollars in losses.