Today’s newspapers are reporting the opposite of what WASA’s CEO claimed last night – that there was no water in the hydrants initially, which delayed the firefighters’ effectiveness in containing the blaze. But the Fire Services now seem to be just as cuplable, with onlookers insisting that their calls reporting the incident were met with disbelief. The Newsday reports the following from an angry eyewitness:
“I heard two loud explosions and then saw fire coming from the downstairs of the store. (This is the Naughty Girls store where it is now speculated the fire originated). Within minutes, the entire ground floor was engulfed in fire. I contacted the Fire Services and after some pleading and explaining, they came. It was as if they did not believe me.”
Port of Spain mayor Mucrchison Brown, who told the media that 62 new fire hydrants were installed around the city following last April’s blaze, is angry with the response of the Fire Services, saying, “I do not think that we should have this problem recurring every time we have a fire.” You think?