A devastating midday fire tore through a residential area on Farnum Land, Deacons Road, on Monday, resulting in the complete destruction of one home and significant damage to two neighboring properties. The incident has displaced two residents and sent a child to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of utter devastation as the acrid smell of smoke permeated the air. The primary timber-frame structure was reduced to a skeleton of charred beams and debris by the time emergency services arrived. An adjacent home suffered extensive fire damage, while a third property exhibited visible scorch marks along its eaves.
The Barbados Fire Service responded to the emergency call at 12:26 pm, deploying thirteen firefighters from both the Bridgetown Port and Bridgetown Fire Stations. The response team arrived with two water tenders and a water tanker, but found the structures already fully engulfed in flames.
Divisional Officer Tremelle Perch reported that despite the challenging conditions, firefighters successfully contained the blaze to the three affected properties. “One house was completely destroyed, one extensively damaged and one slightly damaged,” Perch stated, praising the efforts of his team.
Among those impacted was Rodney Ifill, whose home sustained major damage. The visibly shaken resident expressed his trauma, stating: “Right now I in shock… I could be in there dead today.” Ifill reported having been asleep when neighbors alerted him to the fire, and emphasized that his gas supply had been turned off, leaving no apparent ignition source within his property.
Local Member of Parliament Chris Gibbs was attending parliamentary proceedings when he received multiple notifications about the emergency. “I was sitting there in Parliament attentively, and I got about three or four WhatsApps and about five calls from my constituents,” Gibbs recounted, emphasizing his commitment to serving the community during crises.
According to Gibbs, each of the three affected homes had single occupants, with two residents now completely displaced. Welfare officials provided immediate assistance with clothing, food, and temporary accommodation arrangements. The MP confirmed that the hospitalized child had been treated and was recovering satisfactorily.
The origin of the fire remains undetermined and is currently under official investigation by authorities.