Probe under way into two fires in Tobago

TWO separate fires in Tobago on Wednesday night are engaging the attention of fire officers.

In the first incident, the second floor of an apartment building on the main road in Black Rock was destroyed. Portions of the first floor were also destroyed.

Divisional fire officer David Thomas said fire officials received a call at about 6.50 pm. Thomas said damage to the property, which is owned by businessman Christopher Roberts, has been put at $1.6 million. He said officers are trying to determine what caused the fire and firemen and police revisited the scene on Thursday to continue their investigations.

Thomas told Newsday that not long after the apartment fire, firemen received a report that a house in Castara had also been destroyed by fire.

He said officers from the Roxborough Fire Station responded to the Castara fire but by the time they arrived, the house was already gutted. Thomas said the home-owner told fire officers he secured the house and went to a nearby beach to bathe.

When he returned, the house was almost completely burnt.

Thomas said they are still gathering details to determine the cause of this fire.

No injuries were reported in either incident. Police said it was too early to ascertain if arson was behind the two fires.