McKenzie speaks out against illegal electricity connections amid injury of firefighters tackling house fire
Published:Tuesday | April 16, 2024 | 1:38 PM
Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie is calling for the public to cease illegal electricity connections arising from today's injury of six firefighters who were responding to a house fire in Greenwich Town, St Andrew.
The firefighters sustained an electric shock after coming into contact with an illegal connection.
Three of them were hospitalised.
McKenzie argued that the country's firefighters are doing a dangerous job and members of the public should not do anything to increase their risk of injury or death.
He said there needs to be greater levels of compliance with the law and social responsibility.
“Firefighters from the Trench Town Fire Station responded to a call at 2:17 this morning when one member of the team came into contact with a wire that was illegally connected to the main power grid and was thrown to the ground. On seeing what was happening, other firefighters tried to assist him and were themselves electrocuted. Three of the firefighters have been admitted to hospital, where they are being monitored for irregular heartbeat among other symptoms,” said McKenzie in a media release.
“I am extremely thankful that they were clad in their protective equipment including rubber boots, otherwise their injuries would have been severe or fatal,” he added.
The local government minister noted that the country's firefighters are critical to the protection and development of communities, the wider society and economy, and the Government, through the Ministry, will ensure that their welfare is secured.
“I must make a public appeal for the practice of illegal throw-ups to cease. It is a clear fire and electrocution risk to those who make these illegal connections as well as to all the people who inhabit the structures that are attached to them.”
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