Embassy Events

OPBAT officers pitch in to quell fire in Inagua

August 16, 2007

 

On Sunday, August 12, a devastating fire erupted at a local restaurant located in the center Matthew Town, Inagua and before long the building was completely engulfed in flames.  Local firemen quickly arrived on the scene and began dumping water on the fire, but it was not nearly enough.  Compounding the problem was the fact that when the firemen took their fire truck to the local dock to refill it with sea water, the pumps on the truck failed to work, rendering the truck useless for any further assistance.

Upon hearing of the fire, Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) officers stationed on Inagua did not hesitate to assist.  OPBAT site supervisor, Chief Petty Officer Matthew Kellison immediately grabbed two nearby mechanics that helped him tow OPBAT’s 550 gallon water bull (normally used to wash engines) to the scene.  Damage Control Petty Officer William Workman followed in another truck that carried a dewatering pump.  When Chief Kellison and crew arrived on scene, the fire was still out of control and was very close to spreading to the surrounding houses.  Fortunately, with the water bull they were able to begin to contain the fire.

Damage Control Petty Officer Workman, in the meantime, rigged the dewatering pump to extract water from a cistern behind a nearby house.  The pump system that he rigged served to refill the water bull and provided direct water to the fire.  With these two sources of water, the OPBAT crew teamed with local residents to contain the fire.  An eyewitness to the incident, noted:  “I have no doubt in my mind that the quick actions and leadership of Chief Kellison and Petty Officer Workman saved the two adjacent residences from being destroyed.”  He credited the OPBAT team for taking charge and getting the job done.  Fortunately no one was hurt in the incident. 

Caption:  Photo shows the water bull machine at left (blue) that was used to extinguish the restaurant fire.