Arson suspected in $3M south blaze

ARSON is suspected for the cause of the $3 million blaze in San Fernando that destroyed seven businesses in two commercial buildings on Friday night. South Divisional Fire Officer Curwin Callender yesterday told Newsday that both fires possessed similar occurrences that led to the abnormal spread of the fires. The fires, which occurred at about 11 pm, completely gutted the Equity Law Chambers at Chancery Lane and Totally Fresh Stores at Short Street, displacing more than 30 workers.

Callender said investigations, which were still ongoing, revealed the fire at Short Street was not accidental. He said, “There were multiple seeds of fire at the business place on Short Street which suggested that the blaze was not an accident.” In addition, Callender said a severed lock and a hole “large enough to fit the size of a human being,” were discovered at the northern side of the building. Meanwhile, the divisional fire head said the rapid spread of the fire at Chancery Lane was abnormal. “Under normal circumstances a fire does not engulf a building in such a short period,” he said. Investigations are continuing into both blazes.