Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer

port antonio, Portland:

Firefighters were powerless to extinguish a blaze that destroyed three houses in the Spring Bank area of Portland last Friday. The firemen say their efforts to put out the fire was hindered by a water lock-off implemented by the National Water Commission.

Denzel Roper, assistant superintendent of the Port Antonio Fire Department, said his crew responded to a call reporting the fire at 2:15 a.m., but when they reached the location, they found no water in the nearby hydrant.

"The entire Port Antonio and surrounding areas experienced the lock-offs, which have been taking place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. After our water was exhausted we had to retreat to a river some distance away to access more water," Mr. Roper said.

He said help was sought from an emergency back-up unit from Buff Bay, some 18 miles away. According to Mr. Roper, the Port Antonio Fire Department has an arrangement with the Government's Rapid Response water trucking unit. However, they received no response to telephone calls made by them to drivers assigned to the unit.

Homeless

The fire has left seven persons homeless. Constantine Raikes, 48, one of those whose homes were destroyed, said he lost everything. "I am only just starting to turn my life around since I was deported from America in the 1990s. I have lost my roof, and all my clothes. It is going to be very difficult for me to bounce back."

One of the houses is also owned by a returned resident, who had earlier sent down furniture, and was scheduled to arrive in the island soon. The three houses are close to each other, and according to firefighters two of the houses could have been saved if water had been available in the hydrant.

The fire department estimated losses to be at least $15 million. A forensic team is carrying out investigations to determine the origin of the fire.