Old Sando police station hit by fire ...Court exhibits destroyed
By Anika Gumbs-Sandiford (T&T Guardian)Court exhibits comprising illegal guns and narcotics went up in flames yesterday, when fire broke out at the old San Fernando Police Station building. The station’s dormitory and property room were destroyed. Police case files with evidence pertaining to several high-profile court cases—murders and other crimes — in both the San Fernando High Court and Magistrates’ Court were destroyed.
The cause of the fire was not known up to late yesterday. Fire prevention officers are expected to return to the scene today to conduct a probe. The fire started around 9.20 am, and fire officers spent more than four hours battling the blaze because of a water shortage.
Responding immediately after the fire, president of the Assembly of South Lawyers Hendrickson Seunath said the exhibits which were destroyed could lead to the release of several accused people if there was no secondary evidence to prosecute. Seunath, who was at the scene of the fire, said, “If the State cannot prove a case, accused persons will be set free... This will be very sad.
“We would like to know that records are being kept properly, and in cases as this, secondary evidence is available.”
It was only recently that the San Fernando City Corporation served three notices on the police authorities, informing them that the station was unsafe and needed to be condemned. The building, considered a landmark in San Fernando, was built about 140 years ago. Tears streamed down the faces of some police officers as they were prevented from saving any part of their workplace. Prisoners who were attending matters at both the nearby Supreme and Magistrates’ Courts had to be quickly secured and transported back to prison.
Staff members at both buildings, as well as students of nearby St Joseph’s Convent, had to be evacuated. Police said daily-paid workers of the San Fernando City Corporation were on duty at Harris Promenade when they saw smoke coming from the roof of the building.
Police officers quickly shackled prisoners in the station cell and they were escorted to the cell block of the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court.
Employees from various businesses within the city, including the San Fernando General Hospital, flocked to the promenade to catch a glimpse of the burning building. As the fire officers struggled to keep the fire from spreading to the new building, frustration was vented after nearby hydrants were found to be dry.
As a result, fire officers were forced to make several telephone calls to the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), requesting the delivery of truck-borne supplies. After the fire was contained, WASA employees were seen searching for water lines connected to the hydrants.
Mayor: ‘An eyesore’During an interview, San Fernando Mayor Kenneth Ferguson described the old police station as an “eyesore,” saying he was not surprised by the fire, since notices had been served on the police authorities.
Ferguson said he intended to meet with Works Minister Colm Imbert to discuss repair work to the building.
Also visiting the scene were acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert and acting Deputy Commissioner Gilbert Reyes. Philbert said the cause of the fire remained unknown and advised members of the public to utilise the nearby Mon Repos and Marabella Police Stations which, he said, would be strengthened.
