The morning after fire destroyed much of the remains of a Haitian Village in eastern New Providence, police were investigating the circumstances surrounding the “suspicious” blaze, but according to environmental health officials, the primary concern was to remove heaps of debris and other discarded items from the site.
According to officials, immigrants who squatted on the 24.93-acres of land situated in Sandilands Allotment were forced off it nearly two weeks ago by the owners.
Officials of the Department of Environmental Health then moved in and started tearing down many of the substandard shacks, which were used as homes.
“At this point we do not know what was the cause of the blaze,” said Inspector Walter Evans, press liaison officer.
“We are still conducting investigations into the cause of this blaze at this village. We are very much concerned about the wind factor because it is one of the elements that can assist in spreading this fire into the nearby community.”
The fire started on Tuesday night and was still smoldering beneath the mounds of rubbish yesterday.
Simon Bodie, a vector control officer in the Department of Environmental Health, said authorities wanted to ensure that the rubbish was removed from the parcel of land to prevent the infestation of rodents and mosquitoes.
“As of next week the cleanup should begin,” Mr. Bodie said.
“We want to avoid this kind of situation because the rainy season is very near and these old, bath tubs, and toilet bowls that are sitting up can hold water and we will have a catastrophe if they are not removed.”
Plywood, scattered pieces of rugs, roof remnants and discarded clothing made it nearly impossible for police officials and members of the press who visited the site yesterday to walk throughout the property.
There was also an open cesspit, which made the property a health hazard.
An elderly Haitian man was yesterday escorted off the property by police officers and taken to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, as a last resort because he reportedly had nowhere else to go.
Inspector Evans said that the Royal Bahamas Police Force received information of the fire Tuesday evening, at which time three fire units were dispatched, accompanied by their respective crews.
“Our efforts [Tuesday] were to keep the fire under control-to prevent the fire from affecting the nearby homes,” he said.
The fire came as a blessing for many Bahamian residents of the area who have long been complaining about the presence of squatters.
“It’s a shame that in our own country illegal immigrants, in particular the Haitians, could come and squat for free, live free and we have to buy our property, pay real property taxes and plus pay mortgages on our homes,” said Shena Carroll, whose home is located just before the entrance of the Haitian Village.
Ms. Carroll, who was watching the firefighters fight the blaze on Tuesday evening, said she was happy no one was injured, and also happy that the village was being destroyed.
Mr. Bodie said yesterday that the authorities are determined to continue to tear down the remaining shacks.
“The neighbours in the area were complaining that the people were always burning and throwing garbage all over the place,” he said. “Also if you notice the cesspit, within three feet you would find water so it could [be contaminated].”
By: Royanne Forbes Darville, The Bahama Journal
