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Fire erupts at VI Motors; Cars, buildings damaged

Fire rages at VI Motors in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on July 21, 2018. Photo: Team of Reporters
Thick smoke seen from a distance during the fire at VI Motors on July 21, 2018. Photo: Team of Reporters
Thick smoke seen from a distance during the fire at VI Motors on July 21, 2018. Photo: Team of Reporters
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI: Sometime after 2:00 PM today Saturday July 21, 2018 a fire erupted on the Virgin Islands Motors' compound at Duff’s Bottom on the main island of Tortola.

Early reports are unclear how the fire started; however, cars and buildings were damaged.

Police and Fire and Rescue personnel, as well as a large number of spectators, were on the scene, as the Fire Department, along with VI Motors Staff, attempted to put out the blaze.

Motorists were alerted by the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) to avoid the area and to use alternate routes.

It is unclear whether anyone was injured.

The Fire and Rescue Sevices team of the BVI Airports Authority also assisted with extinguishing the inferno.

Meanwhile, the Terrance B. Lettsome Internatonal Airport on Beef Island had to be temporarily closed while the Fire and Rescue Services personnel were off site.

The fire has since been put out and traffic returned to normal.

3 Responses to “Fire erupts at VI Motors; Cars, buildings damaged”

  • Political Observer (PO) (22/07/2018, 05:00) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    Thankfully, the fire resulted in no loss of life nor major personal injury(s) and just property damage. Neverheless, it exposed a critical weakness in the overall response readiness, capacity and capability of the Fire Service. This weakness is a major quality of life issue. The fire occurred in Duff Bottom and the engine company from Road Town, the nearest engine company, should have been supported initially from engine companies in West End, East End and closer engine companies than than TBLIA. Instead, the TBLIA had to suspend operations to assist; TBLIA engine company responding should have been a secondary/last resort.

    Nonetheless, yo protect life and property, fire protection and suppressant must be a top priority for funding. Health, public safety (fire, police, national security), education........etc in that order. The BVI had the opportunity and resources to be First World yet it is floundering at the Third World level. It must do more better; that is poor English but reflects how bad things are. The BVI is taking too much of a gamble; too much unnecessary risk. We (BVI) should be in a better position and farther down the progress road than we are. We need to exploit/leverage our strengths, minimize our weaknesses, take advantage of our opportunities and avoid threats. The BVI failures rest on the shoulders of successive governments. There are no Pilates here.

    Ok. Back to fire protection and suppressant issue. Government needs to map out the territory and fire stations strategically sited. Further, there should be minimum response times for responsing to fire and other emergency events. To attain this standard and hold engine companies responsible, the territory must invest in facilities, equipment, education and training (on going)........etc.

    The downtown time between responding to events (which is the majority of the time) should be spent preparing for events. By the way, the sister Islands must get the same attention as Tortola. Fire protection and suppression must be a top priority for the next government. Well he...l no; we need to make it happen now.
  • one eye (22/07/2018, 11:55) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    this is a second hurricane Irma
  • Many times (22/07/2018, 20:45) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    VINO you guys late where all you was man


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