作者： admin

ENTERPRISE, TRINIDAD — While firefighters continue investigating the origin of Thursday’s catastrophic blaze that destroyed the Mitsuda Superstore on Longdenville Old Road, shell-shocked residents are counting their blessings that no fatalities occurred even as they face substantial property damage.

As cleanup operations persisted through Friday, affected homeowners issued urgent calls for the business owners to convene compensation discussions for their losses. The explosion accompanying the fire inflicted severe structural damage to at least eight neighboring residences, with shattered windows and torn roofing sheets littering properties throughout the community.

Resident Ishwar Lalsaroop, whose home sits directly behind the commercial compound, described the terrifying moment of detonation: “I was behind my truck when suddenly there was a loud boom like something from the movies. Then all the windows shattered simultaneously. If I didn’t know better, I would have said it was a bomb.” The carpenter reported significant damage to his professional equipment and property.

The human impact extended beyond physical damage. Wendell Grimshaw, another resident, revealed his two children—aged 21 and 15—were traumatized while home during the incident. “They had to duck to the ground as glass exploded inward,” Grimshaw recounted. “They were scared and panicked, not knowing what was happening.”

Despite the chaos, the community faced additional challenges as looters attempted to plunder the devastated compound before dawn on Friday. According to watchmen stationed nearby, two separate groups—including one using a child as lookout—attempted to scavenge merchandise from the still-smoldering ruins before being intercepted by authorities.

Fire officials confirmed the blaze initially erupted around 12:30 p.m. Thursday, requiring fourteen continuous hours to contain. While the exact cause remains undetermined, preliminary assessment suggests the fire originated in the western sector housing meats and household items. Reigniting embers necessitated return visits from fire crews throughout Friday.

The business addressed the catastrophe via social media, posting on Facebook: “We are incredibly grateful to confirm that no one was hurt, and the safety of our staff and customers remains our top priority. Mitsuda is more than just a store—it’s a community. With your continued support, we will rebuild and come back stronger than ever.”

Multiple residents and employees received treatment for smoke inhalation after thick plumes engulfed the neighborhood, prompting evacuations of vulnerable residents including children, elderly citizens, and one individual with special needs. Several vehicles sustained damage, and one adjacent residence suffered roof fires.

Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago are maintaining their investigative efforts regarding the destructive fire and subsequent explosion that completely devastated the Mitsuda Superstore located in Enterprise. Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste has provided an official update, confirming that while investigations are actively progressing, it remains premature to assign a definitive cause to the incident.

In a recent communication with the Express, Minister Baptiste detailed the collaborative approach being undertaken by two key agencies: the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) and the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service. He clarified that while the Fire Service currently holds the primary jurisdictional authority over the investigation, both entities are working in a coordinated manner to ascertain the facts.

The Minister relayed a statement from the executive director of the OSH Agency, which confirmed that safety inspectors are presently on-site conducting thorough enquiries as an integral component of the standard investigative procedure. This process is designed to methodically gather evidence and information.

Concurrently, the OSH Agency has seized the opportunity to reiterate to all employers their statutory obligations under the OSH Act. This mandate includes the critical necessity of maintaining operational fire extinguishers, possessing valid fire certification, and ensuring the completely secure storage of any hazardous materials or chemicals on business premises.

Minister Baptiste further elaborated on the Agency’s broader mission, noting, “OSHA confirms that inspections of warehouses and other facilities are conducted to foster safety. These inspections are executed both proactively and reactively to identify potential risk factors. Our inspectors routinely require industrial establishments to present a valid fire certificate during any investigation process.”

Emphasizing the preliminary stage of the investigation, Baptiste stated that the outcome of these detailed enquiries is expected to yield necessary clarity and information in the coming days.

The tragic event unfolded shortly after midday last Thursday on Longdenville Old Road. The initial fire was followed by a significant explosion, which led to the total destruction of the superstore. The repercussions were severe, resulting in the displacement of dozens of employees and causing damage to several nearby residences, which necessitated the evacuation of multiple residents.

In the aftermath, Mitsuda has announced that its branch in St. Augustine remains operational and continues to serve its customer base.

In a powerful address to graduating students of Morvant Laventille Secondary School, Justice Frank Seepersad delivered a compelling message about personal agency and character development. Speaking at the school’s graduation ceremony held in Morvant on Thursday, the judge emphasized that geographical origins should never limit one’s potential, declaring that individual choices rather than environmental circumstances ultimately determine life trajectories.

Justice Seepersad articulated that sustained success emerges from daily practices of honesty, punctuality, and respect—qualities that form the bedrock of personal integrity. While acknowledging the value of ambitious dreaming, he cautioned that aspirations must be coupled with disciplined effort and conscientious work ethic to yield tangible results.

The judicial figure highlighted the transformative power of personal example, noting that graduates now serve as role models within their communities. He referenced Laventille’s remarkable cultural legacy, including the invention of the steelpan from discarded oil drums by pioneers like Winston “Spree” Simon, as evidence of extraordinary innovation emerging from challenging circumstances.

Celebrating the academic perseverance demonstrated by graduates who balanced domestic responsibilities and navigated difficult environments, Justice Seepersad nevertheless clarified that graduation signifies a commencement rather than conclusion. He warned that forthcoming decisions regarding education, employment, and social associations would carry profound lifelong implications.

The address concluded with an empowering charge: graduates were encouraged to perceive themselves not as products of their environment but as architects of their destiny, capable of transforming personal circumstances into meaningful achievements just as earlier generations transformed scrap metal into internationally celebrated musical instruments.

Trinidad and Tobago’s telecommunications regulator has launched a formal review of recent television broadcasts containing derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, signaling potential enforcement actions against violators. The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) issued dual communications—a public statement and a direct letter to Guardian Media Ltd—emphasizing broadcasters’ legal obligations to maintain decency standards.

The controversy emerged from a political exchange in Parliament where Persad-Bissessar alleged criminal financing behind opposition headquarters, prompting former Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley to respond with what many consider gender-based slurs during a CNC3 news broadcast on March 17. The term ‘jamette,’ historically denoting women of low social standing, has sparked widespread condemnation from government officials and civil society groups.

TATT specifically referenced Clause D9(a) of broadcast concessions, which prohibits content that ‘degrades or portrays in negative manner any person or group by reason of race, origin, class, religion or sex.’ The authority highlighted concerns about children potentially witnessing the derogatory remarks during broadcast hours, amplifying the negative impact on perceptions of the Prime Minister’s office.

Guardian Media Ltd’s CNC3 station received formal caution regarding its oversight responsibilities as a national broadcaster. TATT emphasized the necessity for ‘greater monitoring and due diligence’ to prevent offensive language violating concession agreements. The regulator confirmed ongoing examination of the contentious broadcast segments obtained through its Broadcast Content Monitoring system.

This incident has ignited broader discussions about media ethics and political discourse standards in Trinidad and Tobago. TATT maintains that upholding broadcasting standards is essential for fostering a ‘fair and respectful’ media environment reflective of national values.