Mayor on Promenade explosion

PORT-OF SPAIN Mayor Murchison Brown and Downtown Owners yesterday said the authorities should enforce regulations that could prevent events similar to Thursday’s explosion, from happening in the city.

The explosion along the Brian Lara Promenade reportedly occurred due to a leaking gas tank used by a nuts vendor.

Four persons were injured in the resulting explosion.

Brown told Newsday while he was grateful the explosion was not as serious as it could have been, it brought the issue of illegal street vending back to the fore and questions about the use of flammable liquids.

The mayor, who has taken a tough stance against illegal vending in Port-of-Spain, said he hoped the media would not deem the actions of the police in dealing with such individuals as ‘‘harsh’’ in light of Thursday’s events.

He added that Thursday’s explosion could have been worse if there had been more people present when it happened.

DOMA president Gregory Aboud said the most tragic thing about the explosion was that it was avoidable and if there was more vigilance, “injuries to innocent bystanders could have been prevented.”