Fire damages Globe City Plaza | Local News

FIREFIGHTERS spent hours yesterday battling a massive fire at the landmark Globe City Plaza in Chase Village.

The sprawling complex, located just off the highway along Connector Road near the overpass, housed at least 15 businesses and hundreds of employees.

The blaze broke out just after 9 a.m., and triggered a response from firefighters across South and Central Trinidad, who arrived to find a wholesale store on the eastern side of the compound in flames.

Near midday, after hours of firefighting efforts had contained the blaze to the eastern section of the building, acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer Ansar Ali told members of the media the firefighting efforts were supported by the Water and Sewerage Authority. Asked whether there were any problems for water, he said: “None whatsoever, and we were supported by WASA.”

The Express counted at least four truckloads of water delivered within a three-hour period.

Ali said while the fire was prevented from spreading to other parts of the facility, several hours of firefighting were still needed to extinguish the blaze.

Ali reported the response from the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS) involved at least 35 firefighters from various divisions, five fire tenders, and a Bronto Skylift appliance, which was used to tackle the blaze from overhead.

“So, we are in order. Yes, we are winning it. We stopped the fire from spreading to the foam factory at the back and to this place on the western side, and we contained the fire to one area,” he said.

He added that while there were no reports of fatalities, after they examined the rubble they would be able to ascertain whether the incident was free from fatalities.

Asked to provide a preliminary assessment as to the cause of the blaze, he said it was too soon to tell. Ali added that the investigation would be conducted by the Fire Prevention Investigation team of the Central Division.

Speaking later to the Express by phone, Ali said while the fire was extinguished, there remained some hot spots covered by the collapsed roof that were smouldering. He said fire officers were working on moving the debris to extinguish the embers.

Ali reported the damage was yet to be fully determined and would be provided when the investigation was completed. However, he said an estimated cost of the building was $4 million. He added that the contents of the building were yet to be determined.

Businesses disrupted

The commercial complex, founded by businessman RS Jaglal who is associated with RS Jaglal Hardware Ltd, Globe Manufacturing and Marketing Ltd and Globe City Plaza, houses numerous businesses, including clothing stores, a hardware store, coffee shop, dentist, physiotherapist, spa, medical clinic, photo studio, computer business, pet supply store, food outlets, and a security service company.

Yesterday, a tenant, who asked to go unnamed, said while his business was not affected by the blaze, electricity to the entire facility was cut. This, he added, would disrupt businesses, as they were unsure when the service would be ­reconnected.

At the front of the complex is a food vending strip, occupied by dozens of vendors.

The owner of food outlet JoJo Gyro told the Express he was alerted to the fire at 9.30 a.m. “I was at home. They called me and told me there’s a fire around your place. I come straight,” he said.

He expressed relief there was no damage to his food cart. “Everything is okay, right now. No loss to my business,” he continued.

He commended the Fire Service for its swift response.

“The Fire Service got here about 10 a.m. and they are working good. I am pleased with their response,” he said.

Nicholas Britto, a resident of neighbouring Carlsen Field, said thick plumes of smoke were seen from his home. “All I saw was smoke from home and when I came, I realised it was by Jaglal. All we saw were flames in the air, and the firefighters here trying to get the fire out…,” he continued.

The owners of the complex, who arrived during the blaze, declined to speak to the media.

Temporary

road closure

Yesterday’s fire, which caused a blanket of smoke in the vicinity of the plaza, forced the closure of the Chase Village overpass and led to a back-up of traffic on both the north- and southbound lanes of the highway. Motorists travelling along the highway experienced heavy traffic delays as emergency vehicles and onlookers converged near the area.

Traffic on the overpass was redirected to the highway, with many motorists travelling westward opting to turn around.

In a release from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure yesterday, motorists were advised to seek alternative routes due to a temporary road closure between the Chase Village overpass and the Southern Main Road, in the vicinity of Thompson Road.

Responding to the Express via WhatsApp yesterday, Member of Parliament for the area Jearlean John (Couva North), who later visited the site, expressed sadness over the incident.

“I am told that seven businesses were destroyed this morning, which means the loss of property, income, and jobs. It is extremely sad when people sacrifice for their families, for their dreams to lose it all in this terrible and unfortunate event. I will visit the families,” she said.

In a post to social media later, John shared a video of her visit to the complex, where she met senior fire officers and the owners.

The MP, who is also Works Minister, said senior fire officers praised the responding officers for their commitment, courage and dedication to duty, protecting lives and property. She added that the response from the Fire Service had saved two-thirds of the ­complex.