The high number of grass, trash and rubbish fires around the island is taxing the resources of the Barbados Fire Service.
Yesterday alone, up to 3:30 p.m., it had responded to 20 of these fires, most of which occurred in Christ Church and St Philip. Firemen also battled fires in St Andrew, St Thomas and St Michael.
Sub-Officer Rufus Austin said in a telephone interview that while it was normal for such fires during this dry season, people were not heeding the advice and education programmes.
"We are stretched to the max. It is tough, very tough and it comes from indiscriminate burning of rubbish during the dry period and the high winds," he said. "And all the fire prevention we are preaching isn't working. People are not taking heed; they light [the fire] and go and it gets away."
Austin said all five of the stations were stretched because of the fires in different areas.
Comparative figures for fires at the same period last year were not available, but so far for the year there have been 214 grass fires, 26 house fires, 65 for rubbish, 22 commercial buildings and nine vehicle fires. (DS)
|