Queen Street business damaged in fire

A fire on Queen Street proved to be a double whammy for businessman, Roberto Chee and his family, who experienced a second blaze at their Queen Street residence and store. And while today’s loss in no way matched the previous inferno which totaled their wooden building back in the 90’s, it did create a whole lot of damages. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.

Marion Ali, Reporting
The smoke was first spotted shortly after nine this morning coming out of the warehouse situated on the upper back portion of Roberto Chee Store on Queen Street.

But while the fire trucks were operating from Queen Street, you’d think it was a simulation since there little to see from that angle, aside from fire fighters shuffling about amidst the crowd that had gathered. But just around the corner from the Holy Redeemer Upper School playground and from the back verandah of the Presbytery, it was clear that firemen had a battle on their hands. The fire burned only from the inside of the concrete building, but it took hours before it was contained.

And the reason for this was the contents of the storeroom, loads of robber and coils that simply ignited from the intense heat inside. After an entire morning of traffic diversions from the usually busy Queen Street outlet, traffic was once again allowed to pass after the fire team packed up and left. But the matter at hand is now under investigation – that is, what started the fire. Training officer at the National Fire Service, Kenneth Mortis, says it’s more difficult than meets the eye because of the tons of rubble they have to seep through.

Kenneth Mortis, training officer, Nat’l Fire Service
“The fire was located at the rear of the said building where Mr. Chee had a room that was used as a storeroom. We found tires, tubes all sorts of stuff and bicycle parts and so forth. He had shelves which had collapsed, which created a bit of havoc for the team trying to locate this fire. Eventually we did after a couple hours and we brought the fire under control. As we speak, we have our team out there trying to come up with a cause as to how this fire started.”

But the Chee’s were not the only ones inconvenienced by the fire. Children who attend the nearby Holy Redeemer Primary had to be sent home for the day.

Delcy Young, Admin. Vice Principal, Holy Redeemer Primary
“Some children were asthmatic and this affected them terribly because they had problems breathing, their eyes start running water and we had to move them from out their building and put them in other setting and this caused a lot of discomfort to them because of the heat and the sun hot and all of that.”

Marion Ali
“Nobody had to be taken to the hospital?”

Delcy Young
“No, but the parents had to pick up those who are asthmatic.”

Marion Ali
“And then you had to suspend classes?”

Delcy Young
“Yes, we had to because we didn’t have any electricity so the rooms were very hot.”

Administrative Vice Principal of Holy Redeemer, Delcy Young, says teachers will give extra lessons to make up for the lost day. Reporting for News Five, Marion Ali.

The Chee’s, who also live at the address, were displaced by water damages. They have not yet tabulated their losses.