On Sunday September 22th 2019, about 09.00 am, the patrol from Philipsburg and the Fire department was directed to Front-street where it was reported that one of the businesses was on fire. Upon arrival on the corner of Afloop-steeg en Front-Street the Fire department noticed smoke emerging out of the store Caribbean Paradise.
The personnel of the fire department was forced to remove the steel door at the front, to gain entrance to the building. After removing the door a quick assessment was done of the fire. Shortly after the fire was brought under control by personnel of the fire department. For the safety of the public and the emergency personnel, the Front-Street was partly closed off for e few hours.
The police patrol was also kept busy controlling the onlookers who were on Front Street at the time. During preliminary investigation done by the fire department, it was ascertained that a of the lack of ventilation, was one of the problems they encountered trying to control the fire and smoke. Because of this situation it took a while before the store was rendered safe to enter again. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
