Roads closed in zero visibility as blaze strikes area

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

A MASSIVE forest fire erupted in the Coral Habour community yesterday. 

The blaze further strained firefighting resources, which have been used to battle fires in Abaco and in eastern New Providence in recent weeks - while sparking fears among fishermen concerned about their supplies.

Around noon yesterday, reports emerged of a fire on the western and eastern forestry of the Coral Habour Road. With low visibility in the area, officials closed the road.

Chief Superintendent of Police Chrislyn Skippings said the fire posed no threat to nearby residents, adding that forest fires of this magnitude occur every three to four years.

 “We have closed the road because visibility is extremely poor in this area – it’s actually at zero right now,” she said.

 “It’s virtually impossible to see if you are coming into this area, so we have closed the entrance here at Coral Harbour. We have also closed the entrance on the other side by the Lynden Pindling International Airport, and those areas will remain closed until this fire has actually subsided.”

“We don’t want any injuries happening to anyone, whether it be in their vehicle or whether from any health issues that may arise as a result of the smoke.”

Keith Carroll, president of the National Fishing Association, said crawfish traps and boats for fishermen within the community are in danger, as with their storage site east of the fire. He said the association is optimistic but afraid of the end result.

 Cameron Turnquest, co-owner of Turnquest Seafood, expressed concerns.

 “We have been in the business since the year 2018,” he said. “We are basically just getting our feet on the ground so we are hoping that basically everything remains safe because if this were to happen, we basically would be wiped out of business, so this is a very serious situation.”

Estimating the value of materials, he said “a rough number is anywhere between 750k to 1m between all of the boats and gear”.

 “Although the catch was all right this season, we didn’t have a great price, so we are hoping for a better season this year so that we can actually recuperate,” he said. “This was only a survival season to stay in the business, it wasn’t a season where you could make a good turnover. So coming out of just a survival season and encountering something like this is a nightmare in all honestly.”

 Given the thickness of the smoke, CSP Skippings appealed to residents who suffer medical challenges to relocate until the matter is resolved.

 The fumes lighted the sky up red, and it appeared unlikely to wane quickly. Firefighters took the media on a tour of the fire where a Bahamas Power and Light utility pole had exploded into flames.

 BPL communication manager Arnette Ingraham said the fire impacted high-voltage lines in the area.

 She said customers in portions of Carmichael Road and Coral Harbour lost service.

 “Our teams responded and were able to reroute supply to these customers through a different feed,” she said. “Once it is safe, our teams will repair the high-voltage lines.”

 As of 8pm yesterday, she said the majority of customers in the area’s power had been restored, adding that repairs to the lines will be necessary.