Fumes chase villagers from homes

FAMILIES living near the uncapped oil well at Los Charos Road in Palo Seco abandoned their homes on Wednesday night as noxious fumes, caused by a mixture of natural gas and oil, which spewed from the oil well, overpowered the small rural community. A team of doctors arrived in the area yesterday to examine the affected residents who complained of headaches, breathing difficulties and burning sensations in their ears, eyes and nose. On Wednesday morning, a Petrotrin oil well leased to Rocky Point Trinidad and Tobago Ltd blew-out, spewing clouds of reddish-yellow natural gas and oil several metres into the air.

The mixture from the oil well was taken by strong winds, coating surrounding houses, gardens, parked vehicles and clothes which were hung out to dry. Up to late yesterday, crews from both the lease operator and State-owned oil company Petrotrin were still in the process of carrying out clean-up operations and capping the oil well. Despite a Petrotrin statement on Wednesday, which stated “normal controls” were put in place at the oil well, residents claimed shifting wind patterns caused the noxious fumes to blanket their community. Los Charos resident Patrick Vargas, who is a retired oil worker, said the fumes forced his family of seven to abandon their home.

“The whole village was outside on the street last night,” he said, adding that the effects of the fumes started around 8 pm, causing burning sensations about the body. “Nobody could have stayed in their homes after that because the smell was so strong.” Another resident, Linda John, said the smell of gas remained in her house even after the fumes were blown away by the shifting winds. She said at one point the entire area including the road and gardens turned white with the fumes. When Newsday returned to the community yesterday, medical personnel attached to Petrotrin were observed visiting and examining residents.