A catastrophic fire and subsequent explosion ravaged the Mitsuda Superstore on Longdenville Old Road yesterday afternoon, causing extensive structural damage and triggering mass evacuations in the Enterprise community. The conflagration, which ignited around 12:30 p.m., resulted in multi-million dollar losses and significant collateral damage to adjacent residences.
The Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services (TTFS) Central Division responded with multiple fire tenders within minutes of notification, though firefighters noted operational challenges due to inadequate water pressure. Their coordinated efforts prevented serious injuries, although several employees and residents required medical attention for smoke inhalation.
The compound’s destruction represents both an economic and community tragedy, housing not only grocery and household goods sections but also agricultural supplies and wholesale operations. The subsequent explosion shattered windows in surrounding homes, particularly affecting Jack Street residents who were forcibly evacuated—including children, elderly citizens, and an individual with special needs.
Local resident Wendell Grimshaw reported comprehensive damage to his property, noting the psychological impact on his children from the blast. The incident evoked traumatic memories of a similar 2021 fire at Seumeds Ltd. on Citrus Drive, raising concerns about fire safety protocols in commercial-residential border zones.
Employees expressed profound grief over the destruction, with one 42-year-old staff member highlighting the potential unemployment crisis for single mothers employed at the establishment. The superstore’s absence creates an economic vacuum, previously generating substantial commercial traffic that benefited adjacent small businesses like food vendor Charmaine Alleyne’s operation.
Mitsuda management addressed the disaster through an official Facebook statement, emphasizing employee safety and community resilience: “With your continued support, we will rebuild and come back stronger than ever.” The company confirmed its St. Augustine branch remains operational during recovery efforts.
Concurrently, TTFS issued urgent public advisories against unauthorized burning during the ongoing dry season, noting repeated bush fire responses in Citrus Drive and Ragoonanan Road areas. Fire officials emphasized that discarded cigarettes, glass bottles magnifying sunlight, and deliberate rubbish burning pose severe community threats through airborne embers and rapid fire spread.
Disaster Management Unit chair Brenda John coordinated municipal support for affected residents as firefighting operations continued past nightfall, with reignited flames requiring additional tender deployments and medical standby services.