作者： admin

Fire crews maintained a vigilant presence at Fairchild Street in Bridgetown throughout Friday after a devastating overnight fire completely destroyed the historic Massy building. The blaze, which ignited at approximately 11:41 p.m. on Thursday, required an extensive multi-station response before being contained in the early morning hours.

Station Officer Roger Bourne provided details on the coordinated emergency response, noting that initial units from both Bridgetown Port Station and Bridgetown Fire Station were swiftly supplemented by crews from Worthing Fire Station and support from Tanker One. A total of sixteen fire officers were deployed to combat the intense flames.

While the fire was officially brought under control shortly after 4 a.m., firefighting teams continued their work throughout Friday addressing persistent hotspots within the gutted structure. Authorities established a security perimeter around the compromised building due to significant concerns about its structural stability following exposure to extreme heat.

“We have cordoned off the area as a precautionary measure,” explained Bourne. “This is an older soft stone construction that has endured tremendous heat damage, creating a substantial risk of imminent collapse. Our priority is ensuring public safety while we complete extinguishment operations.”

Remarkably, no injuries were reported among emergency responders or the general public. During the firefighting efforts, two individuals were successfully evacuated from the burning structure. One person exited independently while a 63-year-old man required transport via ambulance to a medical facility for evaluation.

A St Michael resident is now in custody following his arrest on serious weapons violations, highlighting ongoing law enforcement efforts against illegal firearms in Barbados. Keimar Orlando Payne, a 42-year-old from Tudor Bridge’s 1st Avenue Eckstein Village, faces formal accusations of possessing a firearm without the required license and eight rounds of ammunition. The alleged offenses occurred on March 14, leading to his subsequent apprehension. Payne appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Deidre McKenna at the Oistins Magistrates’ Court, where the gravity of the indictable charges meant no plea was entered at this initial stage. The magistrate ordered his immediate remand to Dodds Prison, denying bail. Judicial proceedings have been officially postponed until April 16, when the case will be heard again to determine the subsequent legal course of action. The case represents the judiciary’s firm stance on upholding strict penalties for gun-related crimes, which are a significant focus for Caribbean authorities combating organized crime and violence.

A 24-year-old resident of Deanes Village, St Michael, has been granted bail following his not guilty plea to a robbery charge. Shiloh Payne stands accused of unlawfully taking possessions from Sherwin McDonald on October 3, 2025, with the alleged stolen items including a cellphone, wristwatch, wallet, and additional personal effects valued at approximately $1,055.

During proceedings at the Oistins Magistrates’ Court presided over by Acting Chief Magistrate Deidre McKenna, Payne secured his release under a $3,000 bail arrangement requiring a surety. The court imposed specific conditions for his release, mandating that he report to District A Police headquarters every Saturday before noon until the case is resolved.

The judicial process will continue at the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court, where the matter has been transferred for full hearing. The case is scheduled to be heard on April 16, marking the next phase in the legal proceedings against Payne, who maintains his innocence regarding the allegations.

Disability rights advocates in Barbados have responded with measured optimism to the government’s newly announced urban accessibility initiatives, recognizing progress while emphasizing the need for more comprehensive economic support systems. The national Budget speech delivered by Finance Minister Ryan Straughn dedicated over half a million dollars to enhance urban accessibility, particularly in the capital city of Bridgetown, with specific focus on improving mobility for disabled citizens.

Kerriann Ifill, Vice President of the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD) and the nation’s first blind senator, applauded the infrastructure commitment as a landmark achievement for inclusion. “Bridgetown is our capital city and must welcome everyone,” Ifill stated, characterizing the improvements as enabling disabled persons to “feel safe and have the opportunity to travel anywhere at any time in their city.” However, she emphasized that physical accessibility represents just one component of meaningful inclusion, advocating for expanded transportation subsidies and disability grants that would facilitate genuine independence.

BCD President Patricia Padmore-Blackman offered more critical assessment of the financial provisions, questioning whether the allocated resources would adequately address the substantial needs of the community. While acknowledging the government’s efforts, Padmore-Blackman expressed concern that the measures might provide only temporary relief against persistent economic challenges. She highlighted particular anxiety about sustainability once short-term assistance concludes, noting that many vulnerable households with disabled members remain “on the edge” despite government intervention.

Both leaders emphasized that true accessibility extends beyond physical infrastructure to encompass economic self-sufficiency, employment opportunities, and ongoing support systems that enable dignified living for all citizens regardless of ability.

The coastal community of Oistins, Barbados, remains gripped by anxiety and hope as search operations continue for two local fishermen who vanished during a routine fishing expedition last Saturday. Despite deteriorating maritime conditions hampering rescue efforts, fellow fisherfolk and coast guard units maintain vigilant search patterns across the volatile Caribbean waters.

Authorities have yet to formally identify the missing individuals, though community sources confirm they embarked Saturday morning intending to return by Sunday. The abbreviated trip schedule was reportedly due to one fisherman’s educational commitment at the Fisheries Division. Veteran fisherman George Steven Cox disclosed that the pair received warnings about accelerating currents—recorded at three to four knots—prior to departure. These powerful flows likely displaced any potential debris far from the original fishing coordinates, drastically expanding the search perimeter.

Neil ‘Cougar’ Bourne, President of the Oistins Fisherfolk Association, emphasized the formidable challenges posed by the open-ocean search. ‘You’re in an open ocean; you aren’t in a pond where you can see from side to side,’ Bourne stated, highlighting the absence of precise location data and the fishermen’s autonomous route decisions. He expressed particular concern over the complete loss of mobile communication, suggesting that sustained radio silence may indicate severe distress.

The recent spell of unusually severe weather has underscored the inherent dangers of maritime livelihoods. Bourne reflected, ‘As fishermen, you’ve got to learn to respect the sea,’ while affirming the community’s spiritual and practical support for the families involved.

As sea conditions show signs of improvement, community-led search initiatives are intensifying. While larger vessels have already joined official patrols, Cox anticipates six to seven smaller boats will mobilize once turbulent swells subside in the coming days. The collective effort embodies both the perennial risks faced by fishing communities and their resilient solidarity in times of crisis.