TSTT Laventille Cable Yard Fire Destroys Over TT$20M in Copper Cable, Injures Firefighter
LAVENTILLE, Trinidad – A fire at the cable yard of the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) Laventille Work Centre on Saturday destroyed insulated copper cable valued at more than TT$20 million, according to preliminary police estimates. One firefighter was hospitalized.
TSTT said the fire at the Eastern Main Road compound was reported at about 4:45 p.m. on Saturday. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said in a separate statement that a major fire involving telecommunications cables, including highly combustible insulated copper cable, was reported at about 10:25 p.m. Firefighters worked into the night, and the Fire Service said the blaze was under control at about 7:35 a.m. on Sunday. Burned remains were being monitored to prevent re-ignition.
Crews from the San Juan, Wrightson Road, Four Roads and Chaguaramas fire stations responded, supported by the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), the Ministry of Works and Transport and other agencies, according to the Guardian and TTPS. Angostura Limited, whose compound adjoins the site, thanked the responders and said its employees helped prevent the fire from spreading. It also credited Industrial Rubber Products for supplying firefighting foam.
One firefighter from the Wrightson Road Fire Station suffered superficial facial injuries and smoke inhalation and was taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital, the Fire Service Association said. TSTT said no one else was injured. The TTPS said the TT$20 million figure is subject to formal confirmation and the full extent of the damage has not been determined.
When Guardian Media visited Sunday morning, smoke was still visible. Police and armed security officers stood guard near the entrance as technicians and firefighters worked. Residents across the road said they were uneasy about how close the fire came to the Angostura compound, which stores alcohol. TSTT said the cause is under investigation and that it will provide updates as verified information becomes available.
Police are investigating the fire as a suspected arson, and three people are assisting with inquiries. Details are in a separate report from Aurax News.
This report draws on information from the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, TTT News, CNC3 and TSTT.