Bimini Resident: We’re in Urgent Need of a Fire Truck

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BIMINI, BAHAMAS – As Bimini continues to recover from this morning’s devastating fire, residents say the disaster has exposed a major gap in the island’s emergency response.

Andrew Rolle – Resident, Bimini

“ It’s really devastating. You know what I mean? It goes to show you we are in urgent need of a fire truck, you know what I mean? Because things are happening so fast. Well, this one this morning was unexpected.”

For Bimini resident Andrew Rolle, this morning’s fire was more than just another emergency, it was a wake-up call.

Rolle who lives just a short distance from where the fire broke out in Bailey Town, watched as flames quickly swept through the neighborhood, destroying four homes and leaving several families with nothing.

He adds that the community didn’t hesitate to step in, but as residents formed a human chain, passing buckets of water from ocean onto the shore, they were also waiting for the community’s only functional fire truck to arrive from South Bimini.

Andrew Rolle – Resident, Bimini

“The island only has one functional fire truck, which is at the airport. So that took a while to come over because…they had to put it on a barge and bring it on the north side. So it took about a hour to come over.”

In a statement today, Prime Minister Philip Davis said his heart is with the families who lost their homes or were displaced, Adding that every available government resource be deployed to support the recovery effort.

Also on the ground today was a Member of Parliament for Bimini and the Berry Islands, Randy Rolle, who praised the community for coming together in the toughest of times..

Randy Rolle – Member of Parliament, Bimini and the Berry Islands

“ You know, just grateful to the Resorts World, police, defense force, firefighters, and the entire community for pitching in to contain it as much as possible.”

Rolle also confirms hat two people were airlifted to the capital for medical assistance after suffering smoke inhalation.