Fire leaves 11 homeless

According to reports, fire-fighters from the Morvant, San Juan and Wrightson Road fire stations responded to a fire at about 2 am yesterday in Second Caledonia, Morvant. When they arrived on the scene, the warehouse which was used to store used tyres was already engulfed in flames which quickly spread to nearby houses.

Fire-fighters attempted to douse the blaze, but they had to deal with several negative issues including low pressure in fire hydrants and strong winds which aided the spread of the flames. In the end, the warehouse and two houses were destroyed. No injuries were reported and firemen are to return to the scene today to continue investigations into the case of the blaze.

In an unrelated incident, the swift action of security guard Richard Yearwood yesterday prevented a major fire at the Micles clothing store on Frederick Street, Portof- Spain. Customers and workers were evacuated after a small fire broke out at the back of the store.

Speaking with Newsday at the scene, Fire Officer Ricky Cabralis from Belmont Fire Station indicated there were no injuries and minimal damage to the back of the store.

“We received a call at 11.45 this morning and an extractor fan at the back of the store over heated which ignited. But good work by one of the store’s security led to the blaze being extinguished. Everything is normal...just minimal water damage and we are waiting for the electrician to come to make sure everything at the back of the store is in order,” fireman Cabralis said.

An employee at the store expressed relief that the fire was swiftly contained.