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Fire personnel avert major explosion @ Botanic Service Station

- fire reportedly started while a vehicle was receiving fuel
Yellow tape is placed around the pump where the fire reportedly started at the Botanic Service Station on January 20, 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters
The car on the left was scorched by the fire that started at the Botanic Service Station on January 20, 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters
The car on the left was scorched by the fire that started at the Botanic Service Station on January 20, 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters
The fire at the Botanic Service Station reportedly started around 5:00 P.M. on January 20, 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters
The fire at the Botanic Service Station reportedly started around 5:00 P.M. on January 20, 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters
According to Chief Fire Officer, Zebalon A. McLean, millions of dollars were saved since if the flame at the Botanic Service Station on January 20, 2017 had continued the entire gas station could have been engulfed. Photo: VINO/File
According to Chief Fire Officer, Zebalon A. McLean, millions of dollars were saved since if the flame at the Botanic Service Station on January 20, 2017 had continued the entire gas station could have been engulfed. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A fire that had the potential to cause damages of catastrophic proportions was successfully put out at the Botanic Service Station on Pickering Road on January 20, 2017 as fate would have it that two personnel from the Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Services were reportedly on the premises when it started.

According to reports reaching this news site, the fire started around 5:00 P.M., allegedly under a vehicle that was receiving fuel at the time.

And as pump attendants and other persons on the scene dashed away for safety, an individual said to be an Office Generalist at the Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Services Department grabbed an extinguisher, while a fire officer, who also happened to be on the scene, grabbed another fire extinguisher and both attacked the flame.

The two men were successful in putting out the fire before the pump and the vehicle could be destroyed.

Millions of dollars in damages averted

Chief Fire Officer Zebalon A. McLean confirmed our information, adding that at 5:15 P.M. the Fire Department was called to an incident at the said gas station; however, what they were responding to was a call for investigation because the fire was already extinguished by two fire service employees.

“There might have been an issue with the vehicle that was receiving fuel at the time, but at a gas station you can’t immediately be sure because the number one risk at the gas station is grounding,” Mr McLean stated when questioned on the possible cause of the fire.

The Fire Chief, just a day after he commended his men for containing a major bush fire in Chalwell Estate, was again heaping praises on his charges.

According to him, millions of dollars were saved since if the flame had continued the entire gas station could have been engulfed. “That could have resulted in quite an explosion that would have affected UP’s Cineplex and the nearby Nibbs Garage,” Mr McLean opined.

17 Responses to “Fire personnel avert major explosion @ Botanic Service Station”

  • dog (21/01/2017, 15:15) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thanks be to the most high this was averted
  • Vllander (21/01/2017, 15:23) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    This would have been one serious matter…My friend just sent me a video
  • Now! (21/01/2017, 15:25) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is a department on the move. Thanks again to the team of The Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Services Department.
  • Thank You VIFRS (21/01/2017, 15:36) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
    At least we have one department saving us millions of dollars.
  • Agennnn? (21/01/2017, 16:16) Like (1) Dislike (29) Reply
    Wow, in a place with a fire every blue moon we have two almost fires within days of each other. And behold. Fire personnel just "HAPPENED " to be present...... does anyone smell smoke? Could it be that we may have a firebug in our midst?
    Let's remember the boy who cried wolf. Just a thought
    • tretretrete (22/01/2017, 10:37) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      No I dont smell smoke, but I just read something written by an a real A$$$$$.....
    • Really (23/01/2017, 09:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

      Now this is asinine. Of all places a gas station; who the hell would drive their vehicle with fire under it knowing they could lose their life.

  • ran away (21/01/2017, 16:16) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
    kettle has to train his staff properly or get people who want to do the job and not all about the money
    • Hush (21/01/2017, 20:28) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      He obviously have staff who are trained cause the the two fire officers that stopped the fire are also his part time employees.. good looking banna and Fahie!!!!!
  • Supa-Cop (21/01/2017, 17:50) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good job officers. You are all Supa-Firemen!!!!
  • I Hope... (21/01/2017, 19:16) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    I hope the gas attendant wasn't on his cellphone. I had one on his phone while pumping my gas a few weeks ago.
  • Sigh (21/01/2017, 19:18) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    well it seems one or both the fire staff work by kettle so staff is trained.
  • FIRE (21/01/2017, 19:18) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why would the pump attendants run away instead of picking up the fire extinguishers and trying to out the flames like the fire officers did? Were they not trained? If they were but just ran away, the owner needs to look into this. Just suppose the fire officers were not on the scene at that time? OMG!! Please investigate this.
  • Just saying.... (21/01/2017, 19:57) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    hundreds could have been dead so we need a probe but not one shrouded in politics and spiralling costs
  • wow (21/01/2017, 20:29) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ppl need to keep these old cars off the road. Poor cars done do it's time. Need more regulations in place
  • better (23/01/2017, 15:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The other gas station at the roundabout personel are more professional than Botanical over..


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