Sascha Wilson
An early morning fire caused millions of dollars in damage after destroying a two-storey building housing A&S Fyzool Supermarket and a home along Bonne Aventure Road, Gasparillo.
The fire started just before 4 a.m. and left seven people homeless. The family lived on the upper floor of the building, while the supermarket operated on the ground floor.
Firefighters battled the blaze for hours as chemicals, automotive oil and other flammable substances stored on the compound fuelled the fire.
Rick Mohammed, owner of A&S Fyzool Supermarket, said a neighbour alerted him to the fire around 4.30 a.m. He said his five tenants safely evacuated.
“They evacuated in the back and they went through by the neighbour fence, so everybody is safe, so that is good.”
While the cause of the fire has not yet been determined, Mohammed suspects it may have been linked to an electrical issue.
“It seems as though, I’m not saying it is, but it seems as though it’s electrical, because yesterday, electricity went in the area, and it didn’t come back.”
Mohammed said the business also operated as a wholesale supplier of electronics, automotive oils, spray paints and other items.
Although firefighters responded quickly, he said they initially encountered water supply problems.
“They had to get some trucks with some tanks and so on.”
He estimated his losses would amount to millions of dollars and described the destruction as complete.
“Well, we have, everything is a total loss. So, we have, to thank Allah for life. So, we just had a build back up. So, total, total loss. No, no coming back.”
Assistant Chief Fire Officer for the Southern Division Noel Stewart said firefighters from the Mon Repos Fire Station initially responded, but crews from the Penal and Savonetta Fire Stations were later called in to assist. Personnel from WASA, T&TEC and the police also responded.
“In that building they housed accelerants and aerosols and oils for vehicles, and that caused a bit of a challenge for us because there was constant burning and flaring up but we were able to contain the fire.”
Stewart said firefighters initially experienced water supply issues, but these were quickly resolved with assistance from additional fire appliances, WASA and the regional corporation.
He thanked all responding agencies for their assistance and efficiency, adding that firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to another residence behind the gutted building.
Stewart said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
