The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

LAST week’s fire that completely destroyed the Straw Market in George Town, Exuma, was the result of an “electrical short circuit,” according to officials.

Fire Chief Superintendent Walter Evans told The Tribune yesterday that as a result of the short circuit, the “entire wooden setup” was ignited, completely destroying the structure last Wednesday.

He added that officials have concluded their investigation into the matter.

Meanwhile, Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has announced its donation of $10,000 to aid the relief effort.

SRI has a property in Exuma, Sandals Emerald Bay. The resort also offered the use of “Sandals’ largest tent as a temporary market” so that vendors could conduct their business in the interim.

That announcement came on the heels of Prime Minister Perry Christie pledging last week that the government would be “taking the necessary steps to assist the vendors in resuming their business operations as soon as is practically possible.”

Regarding the cause of the fire however, Supt Evans said: “The fire was a result of an electrical short circuit, and the entire wooden setup where the stalls were, were ignited. The investigation is now complete.”

Last week, Supt Evans told The Tribune that officers had no fire truck on hand to combat the fire. He said officials had to use a truck from the Bahamas Electricity Corporation as well as an airport crash/fire/rescue truck to combat the blaze.

Supt Evans said by the time those trucks arrived, the fire had already progressed to an “advanced stage,” leaving officials with no way to save the structure. Instead, they worked to prevent the fire from spreading.

At one point the fire was so intense it posed a threat to the library, a primary school, and one of the hotels nearby. However, he confirmed no one was harmed.

Nonetheless, it destroyed vendors’ goods and came days before a regatta where vendors reportedly hoped to showcase some of their wares.

Yesterday, however, Jeremy Mutton, Sandals Emerald Bay’s general manager, said SRI’s Chairman Gordon “Butch” Stewart “answered the call quickly” when contacted about the fire.

Mr Mutton toured the charred site with Deputy Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis and area MP Anthony Moss last week.

“We heard of the loss and we knew we needed to help with a temporary place for the market,” said Mr Mutton. “I spoke with our chairman, Mr Stewart and he gladly donated $10,000 to assist the relief efforts.

“The fire could not have happened at a worse time on the island, but good always wins over evil and things will be better in six months. We are happy no one was hurt as everything is replaceable.”

Mr Mutton also suggested the use of Sandals’ largest tent as a temporary market. He called the vendors the “life-blood” of the island and committed to having Emerald Bay’s guests patronise the market as often as possible.

“We have scheduled daily bus service from the resort into George Town to assist in the daily sales from the market,” he said. “Things will improve.”

Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, in a statement last week, expressed remorse at the fire, which he said damaged the “livelihood and welfare of the many Bahamians who occupied the market.”

He called on the government to “move swiftly” in providing assistance to the displaced vendors.