$12 Million Fire at Inshan Ishmael's Businesshttp://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/12-Million-Fire-at-Inshan-Imhmaels-Business-200272481.html...television studio spared
By Nikita Braxton-Benjamin Express South Bureau
Story Created: Mar 27, 2013 at 1:59 PM ECT
Story Updated: Mar 27, 2013 at 4:21 PM ECT
Fire today destroyed the used car business owned by Inshan Ishmael, the broadcaster who operates the Islamic Broadcasting Network (IBN) cable television channel.
The business is located at Bamboo Settlement No 2, Valsayn, on the same compound as the studio where Ishmael produces his Breaking Barriers programme.
Damage is estimated at $12 million. No one was injured.
The studio was not damaged, Ishmael told the Express today.
He said that at around 9 a.m, workers saw boxes on fire and tried to put out the flames using every fire extinguisher they could find.
He said the "got out of hand".
He said the first fire fighters arrived within minutes, and other appliances arrived 45 minutes later.
He said "I have been begging for fire hydrants for over a year. Mr (Jack) Warner (Member of Parliament for Chaguanas West) can verify that".
He said that the double parking along the main road by customers of used car and parts businesses prevented fire tenders from getting to the scene quickly.
Ishmael said that none of his workers would be laid off.
"God will give me strength to rebuild. The TV station was spared".
Ishmael said nothing was insured, since he was told he had built on agricultural land.
- reporting by Dave Persad
