Barbados fire authorities have issued a stern warning following a destructive weekend house fire that displaced four residents in Bank Hall, St Michael, marking the 17th such incident this year—a trend officials describe as deeply concerning.
The Saturday morning blaze, which erupted around 8:58 a.m., required a substantial emergency response with three fire appliances, two water tenders, and one tanker dispatched from the Bridgetown Fire Station. Thirteen fire officers battled the flames that completely gutted one home and caused extensive damage to an adjacent property.
Divisional Officer Marlon Small confirmed two individuals sustained non-life-threatening burns in the incident. While praising community members for their swift actions in containing the fire and alerting authorities, Small emphasized the urgent need for improved fire safety practices among residents.
“This reinforces the need for vigilance and good housekeeping,” Small stated. “We urge persons to ensure they shut down all appliances when leaving home, and even when at home, avoid cooking activities when feeling tired.”
The fire has left 41-year-old Keith Trotman and tenants displaced from properties owned by his father, who resides in the United States. Trotman expressed profound distress over the destruction of the homes his father had worked diligently to acquire and build.
“If it is one thing that I always wanted,” Trotman lamented, “was when he comes back from overseas, for him to see his place good, but it gone contrary. That is the part that hurts.”
Although the property was insured, Trotman lost all possessions in his two-bedroom wood and wall structure and will temporarily reside with family members while determining next steps.
Representatives from the Social Empowerment Agency and local MP Chris Gibbs’ office provided on-site assistance to affected residents. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by authorities.