Fire hazard in the heart of Trincity

THE EDITOR: Every year at the height of the dry season, fires rage through empty and un-occupied parcels of land bordering with the Old Orange Grove road that runs through the heart of the residential area of Trincity.

I have been living in Trincity for 35 years and every year we have to complain about these fires which pose a danger to residents who live on the windward side. These un-occupied parcels of land remain covered in high para-grass and bushes, year after year. It is evident that the owners of these lands are merely speculators waiting for the opportunity to make a killing when the price is right. In any other well-ordered society the owners of these lands would be penalised for creating a fire hazard in a residential area. I understand that this can never happen in Barbados because their Environmental Authorities would simply bulldoze and clear up the land and send the bill to the land owners. It is high time that our Environmental Management Authority should do likewise.

ELLIS MAINGOT
Trincity