Minister Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Minister Hon. Maurice Lake on Monday visited the scene of a large fire in Cole Bay that gutted several structures leaving a number of people homeless.
The fire ripped through structures made from T1-11 and zinc located on Wesley Lane, Cole Bay just after midnight on Sunday. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Minister Lake stated a Ministry VROMI Inspection Team would be working closely with the Fire Department inspectors to determine the cause of the fire.
The Minister also stated on Monday that the landowner would not be allowed to construct or rebuild homes that do not meet building code requirements of the country.
Ministry VROMI inspectors have also been asked to assess the site to make sure there are no further threats to surrounding existing buildings where it concerns unexploded cooking gas bottles or other items of this nature.
The landowner will be given a period of five days to clean the property of all fire debris. Should this request not be adhered too, Government will clean-up the area at the owner’s expense.
"It was very sad to see that a number of people have lost the place that they call home along with their personal belongings. We need to get back to basics and not allow the building of inadequate structures for humans to live in. Landowners have a responsibility where this is concerned.
"Government will allow any type of construction that does not confirm to the building codes of the country," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Monday.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Minister Hon. Maurice Lake (back to camera) onsite talking to an individual. Photo DCOMM