Five homeless after Tobago arson attack

FIVE people are now homeless after a fire destroyed approximately 90 per cent of a commercial/residential property in Canaan, Tobago, early on August 2.

A senior fire officer told Newsday an estimated $15 million worth of merchandise from Dave’s Discount Hardware, on Canaan Farm Road, also was destroyed in the blaze.

The value of the two-storey property, owned by Basdeo and Catherine Bissoon, was estimated at $5.61 million, while the structural damage was put at $5.049 million.

The building, on one acre of land, was used mainly as a commercial business with a residential area on the first floor.

The ground floor had hardware materials such as paint thinners, chemicals, other flammable substances and electrical supplies.

The fire has left seven people jobless.

A report said that around 2.45 am, an occupant woke up to the smell of gasoline. On checking, the woman observed that a vehicle on the compound was on fire and raised an alarm. All of the occupants ran out of the house.

The officer said appliances from the Scarborough and Crown Point Fire Stations received the call around 3 am and responded about 15 minutes later.

Fire station officer Barry White was in charge of operations at the initial stage. He was supported by divisional fire officer Leisa Hamilton and assistant divisional fire officer Roxanne Lewis.

Although the investigation is incomplete, the officer said the fire does not appear to have been accidental.

"The cause of the fire was incendiary, not accidental. It is believed that there was a direct application of an ignition source with intent to cause damage. But I am still to receive the investigation report from the fire prevention department."

The officer said the police were also on the scene, "so they would do their own CSI (crime-scene investigation) based on what happened."

Crown Point police are investigating the matter.