Arson suspected in most residential building fires in Hanover

WESTERN BUREAU:

Arsonists are suspected to be wreaking havoc across the parish of Hanover, and have played a major role in the loss of property estimated to be valued at over $53 million.

According to a report tabled at the May meeting of the Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC), by Superintendent in charge of the Hanover Division of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Terri-Ann Leslie, approximately 85 genuine fires were attended to by personnel from the JFB Hanover team during the month of April.

Of these, 61 were bush fires, 10 residential, four commercial buildings, one hotel, one motor vehicle, and a total of eight others categorised as rubbish, electrical and farm land fires.

But Leslie expressed concern for the prevalence of residential building fires.

“Preliminary reports are ... that most of the calls received were genuine, (but) I speak specifically to residential fires. Of the ones that were investigated, we are seeing where arsonists played a role,” Leslie stated in the meeting.

“...if we are going to resolve problems by destroying property, it is nonsensical.”

She appealed for a collaborative approach within communities to tackle the problem of house fires, adding that it may need some societal changes to make a difference.

The Fire Superintendent named the areas of Rock Spring, Cauldwell, Tryall Gardens, Prosper, Chigwell, Maryland, Ginger Hill, Haughton Court and Retrieve as areas in which “noteworthy” house fires took place over the period, with one commercial building fire reported in the Pondside area of the parish.

According to her report, approximately eight adults and four children were left homeless as a result of the fires, while no serious injury or death resulted.

“With respect to fire prevention we conducted seven lectures, two fire drills, eleven seminars and special training, and one safety monitor training.” She said the seminars and special trainings stressed the need for fire safety and protection, and assured the meeting that the personnel in the JFB Hanover division, would continue in their efforts to increase public awareness and access to fire prevention information across the parish.

“The JFB Hanover division continues to take a comprehensive approach, which will not only facilitate effective response to emergencies, but also serve as a foundation for continuous improvement in our fire safety protocols,” she stated.