Nevis: Cause of Charlestown school fire still not known

Last updated: 28 November 2017, 3:38 pm

The cause of a fire that destroyed a fire at Charlestown Secondary School on Saturday has not been determined, according to officials.

Investigations remain ongoing, said David Stapleton, divisional fire officer on Nevis.

Vance Amory, the island’s premier, said yesterday that it was a “very sad and a very serious situation” that someone would seek to destroy the building.

[caption id="attachment_4528" align="alignleft" width="300"] Vance Amory.[/caption]

Arson is believed to be the cause but this has not been officially confirmed.

Officers of Nevis division of the St Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Services were alerted to the fire at 9.17pm on 25 November.

On arrival they found a small section of a wooden building ablaze, which they were able to contain.

The building, known as Block D, houses two fourth form classes and one fifth form.

The fire destroyed one forth form classroom, and two nearby classrooms have been left unusable. More than 20 students will need to be accommodated elsewhere.

Kevin Barrett, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education on Nevis, described the incident as unfortunate.

He thanked the fire officers for their quick response and promptly extinguishing the fire.

Appeal for information

Barrett said he has already met with the school’s principal Juan Williams and other senior figures to find space for displaced students.

“I am appealing to anyone out there if there is any information that you could give to our police officers, the fire department, as to what might have been the cause of this incident.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="302"] Kevin Barrett.[/caption]

The principal and his staff should not have to deal with coming to a place of work and meeting this type of damage. It is sad,” he said.

Nevis Premier Vance Amory issued a statement yesterday outlining a number of way to ensure this incident is not repeated.

“You will no doubt see a change in the way the school is managed and I am really very disturbed that anyone, no matter how depraved, no matter how deranged, should want to do that,” said Amory.

"My fellow citizens, I am, as I said, very concerned. It does appear as if we have developed a culture of anti-social behaviour, disregard for law and order and this cannot be good for our small country.

“This act on Saturday night, is one which has to be condemned by everybody and I have instructed the police to undertake very strict investigations and to bring anyone who is culpable to justice as quickly as possible.”

Mark Brantley, Nevis' deputy premier, also shared his concerns over the fire.

"I appeal to all right thinking Nevisians to rally with law enforcement to protect and preserve what we have," he said in a statement.

"Had that fire consumed CSS last night, it is ALL of us who would have suffered."