Fire Destroys Brancker’s Design Centre in Fontabelle, Barbados: Challenges Faced by Firefighters Highlight Water Supply Concerns

Fire of unknown origin destroyed the old Brancker’s Design Centre in Fontabelle on Saturday.

The fire also caused damage to an adjoining property belonging to the Oran Group of Companies, pressing a swift response from the Barbados Fire Service with all available resources.

The fire, which started around 3:30 p.m., required a substantial firefighting effort, drawing in fire units from various stations across the island. Despite the fire being brought under control, the operation was significantly hampered by challenges with water supply, highlighting ongoing concerns about fire hydrant availability in critical areas.

Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer Marlon Small, speaking at the scene, told reporters, “We have all of the resources here at the fire scene, including the combined ladder platform and the tanker,” adding that the response was immediate and extensive.

He confirmed that there were 24 fire officers on the scene working to control the blaze. “The fire at present is under control; however, fire officers will have to maintain a watch to ensure that there is no further fire spread and to ensure that we have this fire extinguished this evening.”

Despite the swift response, the firefighting effort faced significant challenges due to issues with the water supply. “We do have some challenges with water at this time,” Small admitted. He explained that the fire service had contacted the Barbados Water Authority for assistance. “We have reached out … and they are going to supply some water tankers, which will be here shortly to augment the water supply to ensure this firefighting operation is more under control.”

The firefighting efforts were further complicated by the lack of nearby fire hydrants. Small was asked about the availability of hydrants in the area and whether the situation raised concerns about fire hydrant coverage within the city limits. He acknowledged the difficulty posed by the distance between the available hydrants and the fire scene. “You would appreciate that initially we did have limited resources on the scene, and therefore, to set up a system that would allow us to get water from those hydrants obviously would have provided some kind of logistical challenge at that time.”

The acting deputy fire chief also raised concerns about the broader implications of derelict buildings in the area, which can become fire hazards. “In terms of the derelict buildings, it always poses a challenge, especially if vagrants occupy them. There is always the possibility of fires starting, and therefore we will be reaching out to the owners of these buildings to make sure that they are properly secured in the future,” he explained.

Although the fire was under control around 5 p.m., Small said a full damage assessment could not yet be made. “At this present time, we can’t speak to an assessment of the damages. As I said, the fire is still ongoing, and the assessments will be ongoing throughout the evening. But at this present time, we are concentrating on ensuring that the fire is … contained, and extinguished,” he said.

The firefighting effort was bolstered by resources from the Bridgetown Port, Bridgetown Fire Station, Worthing Fire Station, St.John Fire Station, and the Arch Hall Fire Station.

Small reassured the public that while a large contingent of resources was focused on the Fontabelle fire, measures were in place to ensure the rest of the island remained covered in case of other emergencies. (RG)