Cause of El Socorro fire still unknown

Allegations surfaced that a lighted incense caused the fire, while it was also suggested that paper being burnt spread to the warehouse and triggered the fire.

Officers from the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission also visited the scene yesterday, and ruled out that the fire was caused by anything electrical.

One eyewitness to the fire said she heard an explosion at the warehouse of SJ Auto Parts which was followed by raging flames. She said that the flames spread so quickly that she only had time to evacuate her six children from her house.

Yesterday, Leroy Morrel told Newsday that late Friday night he smelt something like incense burning close to the warehouse.

He feels that the lighted incense may have triggered the fire. Morrell lost his washing machine and his tree laden with avocado remained singed from the fire.

He believes that the fire was not maliciously set and added that no one has come forward to offer him compensation for his losses.

Another victim, Shahamshah Ali Cassim, the owner of Cassims Commercial Enterprises said yesterday that he was alerted by extreme heat and on checking realised that the warehouse at the back of his home was on fire.

He managed to evacuate his wife and three children. The raging fire spread quickly, and the entire home which also housed a printery was gutted.

Six employees of that printery are now on the breadline.

Cassim said that he is thankful that no members of the family were injured in the fire, but he is unsure of how to deal with the losses.

He added that no one has spoken to him about compensation but he is anxious to restart his business operations in the interest of his employees and earn a salary to take care of his family.

The owner of SJ Auto Parts was unavailable for comment yesterday.

His entire warehouse which housed parts from Korea and chemicals was destroyed in the fire which occurred early Saturday.