A generator fire at a tenement yard on Fern Circle, off Fairbanks Road in George Town, led to the displacement of 23 residents on Monday. The Cayman Islands Red Cross (CIRC) opened its shelter that evening to aid those affected after the planning department condemned the property.
According to the Cayman Islands Fire Service (CIFS), the emergency response was triggered by a 911 call reporting a fire in the generator room early that morning. Upon arrival, fire crews discovered that tenants had already extinguished the generator fire using water from a cistern.
However, further inspection revealed an ongoing fire in the ceiling and roof of an adjacent structure on the east side of the main house. CIFS personnel quickly contained the blaze, preventing its spread and minimizing property damage. Remarkably, no injuries were reported.
Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Randy Rankin praised the firefighters for their swift and effective action. “I am immensely proud of our firefighters’ rapid and effective response. Their training and coordination were key to containing the fire,” Rankin stated.
Rankin also emphasized the importance of fire safety. “If we all work together, we can keep our communities safe. Our firefighters are always ready to respond, but please do your part to prevent fires, which can have devastating consequences.”
Eight of the displaced individuals were accommodated at the Red Cross shelter. The CIRC facilitated the transportation of the affected residents to collect their personal belongings before bringing them to the shelter, where they received a hot meal for dinner.
The CIRC is working in collaboration with Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) and the Jamaican Consulate to coordinate ongoing support for those impacted by the fire.
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