The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A disgruntled Crooked Island resident yesterday criticised MICAL MP V Alfred Gray for the government’s poor reaction to massive fires on the island, as he lamented his family being subjected to inhaling “billows of thick black smoke” for the past three weeks.

James Edward, in an open letter to Mr Gray, said he is “beyond baffled and heartbroken” that as parliamentarians sleep “like babies in your gated communities at night,” the residents of Crooked Island suffer.

Attempts to contact Mr Gray were unsuccessful up to press time yesterday.

Head of Police Fire Services, Superintendent Walter Evans travelled to Crooked Island yesterday afternoon and promised to give an update on the situation today.

“I am beyond baffled and heartbroken that, as you and your peers in the House of Assembly sleep like babies in your gated communities at night, we suffer and lie awake hoping that the flames that have been burning for three weeks will not come to our doorsteps and consume us entirely, even after the flood waters brought by Hurricane Joaquin had only recently done the same,” Mr Edward wrote.

“…I am a citizen of the Bahamas and a human being. Does this still count for something? MICAL is an important part of our Bahamian identity. The ways in which many of us still live on these islands are an emblem of a treasured past that should not be forgotten or allowed to be swallowed up in flames.

“Use what powers you have and use them now to bring an end to the fires burning in Crooked Island, as the time for games is over. Do not pretend that you are as powerless as we are to bring relief to this dire situation. If the government chooses to admit its inadequacy to resolve this situation – with modern firefighting equipment – then you must reach out for international help.”

He added: “I will not sleep another night in hell, and you should not sleep another night in peace without this situation being resolved.”

On Monday, residents of Crooked Island said they saw “no end to the turmoil” as the fires continued to burn.

Crooked Island and Long Cay Administrator Francita Neely told The Tribune on Monday that of the four fires, officials on the ground were able to “curtail” three thus far. The fourth, the blaze originally affecting Cabbage Hill, had 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.

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, Mr Gray phoned the talk show to clarify the status of the fires.

At the time, he noted that the blaze posed no immediate danger 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.