Rain saves town from explosion

At around 10.30 am yesterday, a bomb similar in composition and exploding capacity to the one on Frederick Street exploded on George Street, Port-of-Spain, outside Melville Shipping warehouse.

Unlike last month’s bomb which caused many injuries and senior citizen Yvonne McIvor to lose a leg, no one was injured in yesterday’s blast.

According to reports, the device which caused yesterday’s explosion was similar in nature to the one used on Frederick Street. It was encased in a metal container (the base of a metal light pole) which was secured in the ground by the concrete sidewalk. When the bomb exploded, the pole was ripped apart, tearing the concrete with it and throwing the garbage that was nearby into the air.

When Newsday spoke to eyewitnesses, many were in shock, saying they had only managed to avoid death or injury because they were sheltering from the heavy rainfall. Pointing to "divine intervention," a number of them indicated that they would have walked right by the bomb site were it not for the rain.

"I normally pass there around that time but the rain was falling heavily so I was sheltering. If it was not for the rain, I probably would have been injured like the woman who lost her leg on Frederick Street one month ago," an eyewitness told Newsday.

Recalling what had happened, the shaking woman explained, "I was standing under Klass is Klass barbershop when I heard a loud explosion, louder than an exploding transmitter. I looked up and saw piles of garbage in the air, falling on the ground.

"All I could have done was thank God for my life."

Public relations officer of the Fire Services, John Springle, said although the device was similar to the Frederick Street one, since it was put in the opening at the bottom of a metal base of the light pole, tests would have to be conducted to determine the type of material used. Police sources have confirmed investigations are ongoing.