On Sunday March 8, about 10 am, there was a massive bush fire at Paradise Gardens, Tacarigua. The Fire Department was called numerous times, but they never came. I myself called and was told by an officer that Tunapuna Fire Station did not have any fire appliance so I will have to get one from San Juan but that one went out on another bush fire. Also, the Arima tender was on another bush fire as well. And when they are finished they will come to attend to the fire at Paradise Gardens.
What! This is preposterous. This fire was approximately 20 feet away from my home. My roof is covered with a tarpaulin because of on-going renovations. If one spark had gone upon that tarpaulin do you know what could have happened?
I am not blaming the Fire Department because they are working with what resources they have. But what I want to know is if this bush fire was at Glencoe or Westmoorings or any of the rich people area, would they have got the same response or treatment that we the people of Paradise Gardens got? I am sure that fire trucks from all over would have reached to those areas on time.
This fire was out of control, and my two sons with some neighbours with a garden hose and buckets, had to fight this fire. I was so furious, but thankful to see that they controlled that fire with water from my tank.
The fire department came 45 minutes after the fire was put out. This is not acceptable. Something must be done about this. There is too much money in this country for these things to happen.
So Mr Minister of National Security, you've got to fix this problem now. Let all fire stations have more than two tenders; give them the equipment that they need. Imagine they came with a leaking hose to put out a fire, hence the reason they cannot save people's properties. They usually reach late and they do not have proper tools to do their jobs. Over to you Mr Minister, the ball is in your court.
Modicia Martin,
via e-mail.