$1M Las Cuevas blaze

Fishermen looked on in tears as the fire which began at about 2 pm in Shed Three spread rapidly to the other storage sheds and the mending shed at the fishing depot.

The fire reportedly started when fisherman Felix Hernandez was siphoning gas at Shed Three.

Reports revealed that the gas spilled on a discarded cigarette butt causing the fire to quickly ignite.

Hernandez suffered burns to his feet and legs and was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was treated and warded.

His uncle Cecil Mclean told Newsday that he was at the depot when he heard a loud explosion. He said he saw his nephew screaming in pain and the shed on fire.

He and others formed a bucket brigade and attempted to extinguish the fire but the flames spread quickly.

Fishermen were unable to save the nets, engines and other valuables. Firemen arrived on the scene one hour later.

The fire destroyed the storage sheds and the mending area.

Arnold Hernandez, one of the fishermen who lost two engines stood a short distance away and looked on helplessly.

The 60-year-old man said that he is unable to get a loan at his age and is unsure how he will be able to get the money to replace his burnt engines.

He added that fishing is his only source of income and his engines were not insured.

Hernandez said that he is helpless and in a daze and is calling on government to assist him and other fishermen who lost their nets and engines.

Fishermen were engaged in a clean up exercise late yesterday.