Gladstone Road Scrapyard Goes Up In Flames

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Pillows of smoke blanketed the blue western skies of New Providence Friday as a scrap yard on Gladstone Road was fully engulfed in flames.

Our News arrived on the scene around 3 p.m. to find thick black smoke covering the road. A structure right at the corner of the western entrance to the Victoria Gardens community was ablaze.

As officers struggled to control the fire, traffic was blocked off in both directions, making the situation more difficult.

As the blaze burned, sounds of pops, bangs, and explosions could be heard coming from the property, with windy conditions sending the smoke far.

Superintendent Demeris Armbriester – Chief Fire Officer, RBPF
“They would have arrived and found that the fire was unknown.”

Drone footage of the area showed the extent of the damage, with nearly 100 scrap cars appearing to be destroyed.

Brian Richard Bethel is the owner of the yard. He said that despite taking safety precautions for years, he had a bad feeling that this day would come.

Brian Richard Bethel – Scrap yard owner
“I was prepared to get into another business.”

Meanwhile, as residents have called for the government to rezone scrap yards, moving them out of residential communities, Bethel shared his thoughts.

Resident
“This isn’t a good situation, it can end up uncontrollable.”

Resident
“It is a lot, it should be closed down.”

Fire officials said there were no injuries and that the fire should be totally extinguished by the end of the night.