The Nassau Guardian
Fire at new NEMA office
Fire engulfed the National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA) new facility on Gladstone Road early yesterday morning, gutting a portion of the building.
The fire occurred around midnight, extensively damaging the northwestern section, authorities said.
The organization moved from cramped quarters downtown into the more than $2 million facility around three months ago.
Salvage teams, including prisoners, who were being overseen by Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) officers and NEMA officials, were sorting through much of the charred remains, when The Nassau Guardian arrived around 11 a.m.
NEMA Director Captain Stephen Russell said around a dozen employees occupy the building for day-to-day operations, but no one was in the building at the time of the blaze.
In the event of a natural disaster such as a hurricane, up to 40 representatives from various government agencies can mobilize there at the facility.
The cause of the blaze up to yesterday evening had not been determined.
Assistant Superintendent Ernest Hanna of the Fire Services Department said police do not suspect arson, but have not ruled it out.
“The most difficult part of our response was gaining entry to the building as it was properly secured and the fire was confined to the workstation area,” Hanna said.
“The electrical supply was comprised due to the damage... to the wiring system.
“That is one of the major repairs that will have to be carried out.”
The new facility has a boardroom, three offices, staff cubicles, a staff lounge, full kitchen fitted with granite counter tops and an operation and training center.
Following an assessment of the damage, Russell said the staff cubicles, several computers, copiers and the roof above that portion were all destroyed.
He said several teams from the Ministry of Works assessed the facility yesterday to determine what repairs need to be made, but he could not put a value to the damage.
“To find this unfortunate event is disheartening. It’s heartbreaking,” Russell said.
“When I called some of the employees this morning on my way here, they could not believe me and thought it was a joke, but I told them it was serious.”
He added, “We are still functioning, and you can contact us for any business related to NEMA at the Cabinet Office on 322-3220 and 376-6362.”
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