By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage offered his condolences to the family devastated by a fire that claimed six lives early yesterday morning.

He told reporters gathered at the scene that officials must now do all they can to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.

The minister made the visit on behalf of the government and area MP Glenys Hanna-Martin, who is out of the country.

“It’s the kind of incident that can easily happen,” Dr Nottage said. “I am really speechless. I needed to see what happened and what the circumstances were because we have to do everything that we can to prevent instances like this. So its not an easy task.”

Dr Nottage urged Bahamians to take the necessary precautions to safeguard their lives and property

“There are some things that I think contribute to incidents like this and we think we see some evidence of it here (at Homestead Avenue).
“It’s not only here. All through this area, the Grove, Englerston, Bain and Grants Town, there are people who live in close proximity to each other, as they were here.
“(Extension) cords – they are all around the place. Not only in this community, but all around the place. You have vehicles rolling over them. Some times they go across the street. There is no question that it is a recipe for disaster and for problems. I can’t say that that’s what happened here but I notice that there are cords running across the ground. That’s one of those things that we’ve always advise against,” he said.