BAHAMAS: Minister of Education’s House of Assembly Contribution Giving Report of Recent Fire

#Nassau, October 19, 2018 – Bahamas –

COMMUNICATION BY

THE HONORABLE JEFFREY L. LLOYD

MINISTER OF EDUCATION

AT THE

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17^TH , 2018

10:00A.M.

At 11:25p.m., Tuesday, 16^th October, 2018  a call was received of a fire at the Ministry of Education’s Warehouse on University Drive.

Initially, three (3)  fire units were dispatched . Upon arrival heavy smoke and flames emanated from the building.   Director Walter Evans of the Fire Department, contacted the Airport Fire Crew dispatching an additional truck to render assistance.

Visibility was difficult.  Difficulty was also experienced in gaining entry  to the building. Lock cutters and the jaws of life were used to gain entry.

Upon entry, a large number of paper material including files, cleaning and toilet supplies were engulfed in flames.  Because of the set-up of the ware house and the chain link fencing of the interior it was difficult to extinguish the multiple seats of fire.

Around 5a.m.,  17^th October, 2018, personnel from the  Ministry of Education and  the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture assisted in  extinguishing the fire.

The majority of the contents were destroyed. Estimated cost to be determined.

9:30a.m. The fire continues to burn, however, the greater portion has been extinguished.

Release: BIS