The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

DAYS after spending $10,000 on repairs for his vacant Abaco nightclub, Omar Bodie watched on a video call from Grand Bahama as the building burned down.

The fire, which has been burning in the Treasure Cay area for days, reportedly started last Monday near Treasure Cay International Airport. Residents had noticed smoke rising a few miles behind the airport, and volunteers were later stationed there as the flames inched closer.

No homes were affected, but Mr Bodie, 44, was lost for words when his cousin video-called him around 2pm on Saturday, showing Club Mystic engulfed in flames. The club had been closed since suffering severe damage from Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

Mr Bodie said just last week, he had purchased $10,000 worth of lumber and materials to repair the roof, hoping to eventually reopen.

“I might have to break it down and start all over again,” he sighed.

Currently unemployed, he plans to fly back to Abaco today to assess the damage and determine his next steps.

Photos and videos shared with The Tribune showed thick white smoke covering the sky, while firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Some residents reported being temporarily blinded by the heavy smoke while driving on SC Bootle Highway, while others, living miles away, said they could smell the smoke.

Another business owner, Jenson Edgecombe, who runs an Airbnb called Happy State and a car rental service in Treasure Cay, said his properties were spared. He credited using a tractor to push debris away from his fence with preventing the flames from spreading to his businesses.

Videos also showed an old, non-operational gas station affected by the fire.

Stephen Wilson, Family Island administrator for North Abaco, said bushfires are not uncommon on the island. He explained that some residents light small fires to produce coal, not realising how quickly they can spread. While the exact cause of this fire is undetermined, he said this is a likely explanation.

Mr Wilson praised volunteer firefighters for their response, noting that Abaco has two fire engines in Treasure Cay and one in Marsh Harbour that were used to battle the flames. However, he said he plans to meet with government officials soon to request a tractor, heavy-duty equipment, and additional resources to improve fire response efforts.