Fire on Bay Street

(November 26, 2003) Fire destroyed the Office of Tourism on the second floor of the Sugar Mill Buiding at the foot of Government dock last night, but quick cooperative action by residents and visitors saved the neighboring buildings.

The fire broke out around 8:30 p.m. according to witnesses. Diners at Harbour Lounge, the Landing, and Rock House saw flames shooting high into the sky and sounded the alarm. Susan Neff, former chef at Coral Sands who was dining at Rock House, said she thought the entire block was about to catch.

Volunteers formed a bucket brigade to draw water from the bay, but getting buckets of water up to a second story blaze is no easy task. Firefighters stood on the roof of Doris Dry Goods, the building to the south, to get access. Vistors just arriving for the American Thanksfiving holiday crowded the streets, and many joined the effort.The choir practicing at the Methodist church heard shouts from the street and dashed down together to help.

Damage at Dunmore

The fire leapt to the roof of Dunmore School, the neighboring building to the north. While the brave fire fighters contained it, school director Patricia Masterson organized the school's staff and rounded up volunteers to clear out the school's computers, furniture, and books, moving some to private homes and the rest to the school's back yard where the crew of women covered everything with a huge tarpaulin. We expect they'll appreciate help putting the school back together and repairing the damage.

No Fire Truck

Juanita Percentie said, "We were fortunate to have the BEC truck to give us the high ground." The men maneuvered the truck's cherry-picker arm above the fire line giving both a downward water source and a vantage point from which to spot sparks and hidden trouble spots.

And where was the island's fire truck? The ancient pumper housed on Gaol street is no longer in service. Fire chief Jefferson Johnson expressed frustration that he could have put out the fire sooner with the proper equipment. A fund to purchase and manage a new truck needs new blood. Although some funds have been collected, several members of the Fire Fund committee have left the island, leaving the effort stalled. As a temporary measure it has been suggested to purchase a simple pump truck that would be cheaper and require less effor to maintain.

Building Damage

Meanwhile, Leon Johnson saw the flames from his restaurant on Eleuthra and called Tourism director Raymond Harrison, who also lives on Eleuthera. "You better get over there," he said. "Your office is on fire." Harrison reported that new furnishings had just been installed last week. "But thank God no one was hurt and we kept it from spreading," he said. We'll be back in business tomorrow."

It was too soon to know how much damage there is to the Sugar Mill gift shop on the ground floor owned by the Albury sisters. Reportedly, an investigation will begin twomorrow.

Many, of course, recalled the last major fire on Harbour Island when Valentine's burned in 1999. In both cases the wind was a huge factor. Artist and former Councilmember Harvey Roberts who had just finished dining at the Harbour Lounge and who has painted one of the most famous images of that beloved building, said, "The first thing I checked was the wind. It was blowing west, straight out to the bay. I prayed that it stayed that way, because the Harbour Lounge is a wooden building, and would have been lost if the wind shifted."

Council member Tovar Sawyer summed up what everyone on Harbour Island was feeling. "We've got plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season. Especially now. I'm thankful the damage wasn't worse, and I'm proud of my fellow Brilanders. We worked togther like a community. Everyone side by side. You could feel the love."

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