The Tribune

By SANCHESKA DORSETT

Tribune Staff Reporter

sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

POLICE in Long Island are investigating the circumstances surrounding a house fire that left an elderly man dead late Wednesday night.

The incident took place shortly after 11pm in Salt Pond.

According to reports, police were called to the scene after residents alerted them to the house fire. When officers arrived, they found the single story building completely engulfed in flames. Officers, with the assistance of residents, were able to extinguish the flames.

A search was conducted of the interior of the burnt structure and the lifeless body of a man, burnt beyond recognition, was discovered.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

Officers from the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Fire Services are in Long Island assisting with the investigation.

Long Island Member of Parliament Adrian Gibson, in a post on Facebook, identified the victim as Erskine Harding. He also said this latest incident speaks to the needs of firetrucks and fire fighting equipment on the island.

“The administrator has briefed me about a fire that occurred last night (Wednesday) in the Salt Pond settlement. Sadly, Mr Erskine Harding died in the blaze,” the post said.

“A team from Police Fire Services has been dispatched to Long Island to investigate. As it stands, I am advised that the coroner and morticians, along with the police, have already brought Mr Harding’s body into New Providence by private charter. There remains no fire truck and that is a concern for the people of Long Island. I am hopeful that once we have the airport constructed we can have a fire truck. In the interim I am thinking about using a portion of the constituency fund to purchase a used truck or some fire fighting equipment for the island. Persons were using hoses and buckets to out the blaze. My sincerest condolences are extended to the victim’s family. May his soul rest in peace.”

Investigations continue.