In Scotia’s ATM fire

Fire prevention officers probing the fire at the ATM (Automated Teller Machine) booth of Scotiabank’s Park and Pembroke Streets, Port-of-Spain branch on Saturday, believe that the fire was maliciously set.

Officials of the bank are expected to view tapes from a camera at the bank to ascertain exactly how the fire started.

A man was seen walking away from the ATM shortly before the fire.

According to reports, at about 5.15 pm on Saturday smoke was seen coming from the ATM machines.

Officers from the Wrightson Road Fire Department responded and the blaze was brought under control in about 20 minutes. Managing Director of Scotiabank, Richard Young, said that he believes the ATM booth was tampered with.

He admitted that no security officers were on the compound but added that the security cameras were on-line.

On May 20 last month masked men used a blow torch to cut open another Scotiabank ATM on the compound of MS Foodcity Supermarket, in Debe. Officers from the Port-of-Spain CID told Newsday that after viewing the tapes, they will proceed with a full scale investigation into the fire.

Scotiabank’s manager Dereck Patience said yesterday he saw no reason why operations could not proceed as normal today.

When Newsday visited the scene of the fire yesterday, clean up operations were taking place and security officers were seen monitoring activities in and around the bank.