Monday, 23rd December 2024

Police Stations in Barbados, Jamaica set on fire on same day

Despite everyone’s collective efforts, the damage that was caused is still uncertain, as of this point in time.

Tuesday, 13th February 2024

Police stations set on fire in Barbados & Jamaica on the same day (Representative Image)

Two police stations in Barbados and Jamaica were set on fire on the same day. As per reports, the cause of the sudden fire at the premises on both islands remains unknown. Authorities are investigating to find if there is any connection between the two incidents.

As per reports, the first incident was reported from the Easternmost end of Barbados on Monday. The officials said that the fire was so intense that it rapidly engulfed the entire building, leaving no chance of containment.

Divisional officer Patrick Edwards and Station Officer Wayne Vaughn were left in charge to contain the scene; Officer Adrian Elliot was accompanied by several officers from the local fire station to the scene of the blaze. All of them converged in a desperate attempt to control the damage of this misfortune. While the cause of the flames is yet to be determined and made publicly available, local witnesses started to report black clouds of smoke between 3:30-3:45pm, around 4pm the acrid smoke had simmered down. Fire officials departed the scene around 4:10pm while the police officials on duty remained on site until the flame dissipated.

Despite everyone’s collective efforts, the damage that was caused is still uncertain, as of this point in time. However, it is speculated that the personal belongings of stationed police officers may have been lost in the unforgiving inferno.

While no direct cause is known to the public, we do know that the site was overrun with vegetation and a drift of bees are thought to have covered the site, these conditions would suggest that it was easier for the flame to spread than it should’ve been, especially considering the vegetation would have created ideal conditions for a tinder to spark.

The Fire at the Oracabessa Police Station, Jamaica

This incident mirrored another police station being set on fire on the same day at Oracabessa Police Station barracks in St Mary, Jamaica. Initial reports surfaced sometime after 7pm when fire was seen bleeding from the premises housing police officials.

The Port Maria Fire Station responded to the call. As of this time it is believed that some officers may have lost some personal items but the police station was not impacted by the fire as it failed to spread before the fire officials arrived.

The Oracabessa Police Station is not new to being in the public eye, just three months ago seven inmates escaped from their station, most of whom were imprisoned for violent crimes. They escaped by cutting through the ventilation grille and are yet to be caught. The ramification of these incidents are yet to be seen and calculated, this ordeal may affect the station’s morale or may motivate them to strengthen their competence, only time will tell.