“I Completely Lost Everything So It’s Hard To Even Come Here”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Black smoke could be seen throughout New Providence Sunday morning as a blaze tore through Arawak Cay, leaving six businesses destroyed.

A resident in the area recounted to us what he witnessed early Sunday morning.

Alfred Brown – Resident

“When I came, I see a big bundle of smoke, so when I look, everything was already engulfed in flames, so I say wow they say Goldie’s already burned out.”

When we arrived on scene after 9 a.m, we met fire fighters aggressively trying to contain the flames, meanwhile police officers with their hands full tried to manage the hazardous scene.

Administrator for Fire Services, Quincy McGregor, says they received reports of the fire around 8:45 a.m.

Quincy McGregor – Administrator, Fire Services

“Upon arrival, officers met a two story wooden structure engulfed in flames and the fire was aggressively attacked, brought under control, and extinguished, however the building was destroyed along with five other buildings near by.”

The building, a newly renovated Goldie’s Conch House, now reduced to mere rumble.

Owner, Kirkland “Goldie” Evans, was not on the island at the time.

However, his daughter and restaurant manager, Kenya Mitchell, says she began to tremble soon after getting the call.

Kenya Mitchell – Manager, Goldie’s Conch house

“We were running around this restaurant from children, and we saw him progress and progress and you know, it is just so sad.”

Owner of On The Edge restaurant says she watched the fire move rapidly, destroying her stall in the process.

With less than five years in operation, she is now forced to rebuild.

Teshelle Mackey – Owner, On The Edge Restaurant

“I completely lost everything so it’s hard to even come here, and to actually see that you come to work full days, work with your employees to make sure everything goes smooth, and this what happen.”