The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE pleas, long-suffering residents of Crooked Island say they see “no end to the turmoil” of the last two weeks as fires continue to burn in and around four of the island’s major settlements.

One source in Crooked Island described the ordeal as “hell on earth” as they noted that many of the island’s residents were still working to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Joaquin. Beyond the administrator’s office and a couple of other offices on the island, communication has been scarce.

Crooked Island and Long Cay Administrator Francita Neely told The Tribune on Monday that despite best efforts all of the fires are still burning. According to Mrs Neely, of the four fires, officials on the ground have been able to “curtail” three so far. The fourth, the blaze originally affecting Cabbage Hill, has spread near Johnny Hill as a result of “ever changing wind”.

Fires were initially reported in Major’s Cay, Colonel Hill, Cabbage Hill and Landrail Point.

“As far as I know, the fires are starting to die down,” Mrs Neely said. “They aren’t affecting any homes or property. But we are cautious of the fire near Cabbage Hill. As the wind shifts, residents in Johnny Hill either get a lot of smoke or the fires crawl closer to them. That’s the blaze we are watching closely at this time.”

The fires were first acknowledged on March 31 when a resident of Crooked Island phoned into the “Hard Copy” radio talk show hosted by Steve McKinney on Peace 107.5FM to express concern over the ordeal. Shortly after the complaint was logged, MICAL MP V Alfred Gray phoned the talk show to clarify the status of the fires.

He, at that time noted that the blaze posed no immediate dangers to any home or property. Fire services personnel were dispatched from New Providence to Crooked Island the following Sunday.

In the days that followed, residents in Acklins, the island adjacent to Crooked Island, reported seeing “thick, black smoke” emanating from the island.

Additionally, social media platforms have been inundated with personal reports of the ordeal by residents in New Providence with relatives and friends in Crooked Island.

Social media posts ranged from criticism levelled at Mr Gray, questions over the lack of fire equipment on the island, and even some questions over how the blazes were started.

The Tribune is awaiting comments from the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) fire services unit.