Barbadians have awakened to the news of the tragedy which occurred in Tudor Street last night. From all reports the cause is linked to disgruntled robbers who threw a Molotov cocktail (petrol bomb) into a Tudor Street business.
The helplessness of our firemen who despite their best efforts were unable to save those who perished in the blaze was clearly visible in the pictures captured by the media. To die as a result of smoke inhalation or being burned to death must be the most horrible way a human can depart this earth. May those who have committed this heinous act be brought to justice very soon (see the blog below which can help Barbadians to mobilize).
Some may think this an inopportune time to analyze what occurred on Tudor Street last night. No time is too soon to highlight what a lack of building codes and its enforcement by the relevant local authorities can do to prevent a similar tragedy from recurring.
For example:
Bowling at the Ms. Ram Merchandani owned Casa Grande located at Oldbury, St Philip has become very popular. To those who have visited it is an irrefutable fact that the Game Room is located downstairs the Bowling Alley. The Game Room which is always packed is about 10 feet wide and about 150 feet long where a padlocked glass door is positioned. Based on what is in public view the main* exit in use is through the Bowling Alley over another 250 feet which exits by the Bumper cars. The whole place is carpeted and therefore makes it easy to imagine what could happen if a fire were ever to occur. Bear in mind the place is always packed to capacity.
In light of the tragic event of the past 24 hours two issues need to be considered in the post mortem of the incident. To what extent the firemen who gave of their best to save the 6 who perished have been compromised by a corrupt system? Is it the Barbados Fire Service who is responsible for inspecting buildings to ensure occupational safety? What about the government who is ultimately responsible for ensuring public safety? To what extent the refusal of the implementation and enforcement of building codes by successive governments contributed to the laissez faire attitude which exist concerning the public safety of Barbadians? It appears from reading the reports so far the 6 who perished were trapped like rats in a trap with no ready means to escape a fire.
The other point. How in all good conscience should Miss Ram be allowed to operate a Game Room in the environment in which she currently operates? Why is it certain people are allowed to operate on the fringe of the law while others have to toe the line? The BU household made the decision long ago not to be found near the place. Sometimes what is popular is not good.
Most worrying as this incident has unfolded is the news which knocked Barbadians for six this week that the Commissioner of Police and his Deputy are at logger heads. Where is the leadership?
Hopefully this tragic incident will serve as a tipping point to galvanize Barbadians to wrestle back their society from the dark abyss towards which it is careening at a distressing pace.
170 responses to “If There Is A Time For Leaders In Barbados To Act Surely It Is Now; A Human Tragedy Which May Be The Tipping Point – Wither Ms Ram’s Game Room?”
When Club xtreme be packed with over 500-600 people… tht aint a fire hazard? agrofest and the entire place locked down with one entrance and exit and got people with gas bottles cooking and whole lot of other stuff, isnt tht a fire hazard aswell? Last Agrofest if any fire was to breakout(thank god it didnt) you know how much people would have lost their lives?
Well close dem down too!
@Hants
This is not a typical robbery gone bad.
With all the bad press in neighbouring countries like Jamaica so far Barbados has been immune . Make one ask the question “What is going on Here”is this the actions of persons who are deliberate on tarnishing the image of Barbados. So far this has been the second attempt only this time it was more deadlier.
i was there when it all unfolded.. i begged the fire officers from the first hour of the incident to start cutting through the wall, i even told the spots to get closes to the girls,they told me they dnt have a hilti r any equipment to break the wall!
it brought tears to my eyes.
3-4 hours passed untill they did what i told them to do from the first hour…
if they listened, these girls would have been alive.
@ac
you ever hear bout Boga Lorde ? He used to light dynamite and pelt it at anybody who trouble him including young policemen.
There are Bajans who are quite capable of this level of criminality but I really hope it is foreign gangstas.
@Hants
His comments were carried on the radio.
@GP,
No need to close them down. Just enforce reasonable safety standards.
Bajan Architects and Engineers went school in North America and have the knowledge and expertise.
Prehaps they got tired of their ideas being dismissed.
Same ting dat happen to you happen to some a dem too.
Another thing do you all know that for years Bajan policemen were sent to the best Police training centres in the UK, the USA and Canada?
The only time you have to bing in Scotland Yard is when you need to “cover up”. Not me an dah Peelee case bosie. lol.
@Hants
Who troubled those robbers . This was a deliberate act of voilence foisted upon innocent people who did those people no harm! The fact that this is a 2nd attempt on business not a specific individual seems highly suspicious. I am not ruling out the fact of any race or nationality who could have done it .
Be fair
We are saddened to hear this info that the fire officers did not use your suggestion in their efforts. As I said, I was not there but this confirms the concerns I raised earlier about rescue efforts or lack thereof. No doubt we need to capture the perpetrators of this heinous crime. These criminals have crossed the line and should be made an example of.
A lot of you straying away from the point the issue shd not b bout no dam building code and Ms. Ram place although I am not a fan of hers. The main issue here is the way a business was robbed and then the bandits had the nerve to throw that bomb and destroy it. If the store had a back entrance and the girls were still burnt to death what wd u say. You find fault of our fireman and how they perform they duties they wen to learn this profession not you they know how to handle these situations leave them out and focus on helping the police in capturing the losers who did this gosh.
@ac,
Lets hope they get caught before they commit another crime.
I am sure the whole Police Force will be motivated to find them and even these criminals families might turn them in.
@Ms. Proprietress
Think about it, the criminal act of tossing the Molotov cocktail was compounded because there was no easy way out through the back of the building. If there was those now dead would probably have escaped and the police would be chasing robbers. Now they are chasing murderers.
@Ms. Proprietress,
You cannot discount the fact that a lot of Businesses in Barbados, Bridgetown in particular do not have have fire exits and sprinkler systems.
On this blog we find fault sometimes and sometimes we give compliments.
Let us hope the Police catch the criminals.
@ready done………..’hang the thieves?’ And reduce the Barbados population by 2/3rds?
Nice to have you back hopi.
Two more things…1. observer wrote | September 4, 2010 at 3:45 PM | “not a word from my beloved prime minister….not a word from our leader. is he really here on the island? ”
The Prime Minister is probably sicker than his office and the DLP is letting on. Why did you think that he arrived in Barbados late at night, at the end of the tarmac and with no media present? Why do you think that he has not appeared to the media (to the people yet) We too much believe in the maximum leader and when the maximum leader turns out just to be a sick middle aged man the other party members don’t seem to ralize that we the people elected them also and that we expect them to lead. If the Prime Minister was well he would have walked down the stairs of the plane and across the tarmac in mid-afternoon and someone from the DLP would have been there to greet him with flowers, and the big party boys would have been there in their suits sweating it out in the sun. So no the Prime Minister has stiil not recovered. The DLP (or the BLP or our spouse or children or whoever) can lie to you with words but actions always speak the truth.
I hope that criminal chargeswill be pressed against the criminals AND that the CIVIL charges will be brought against all who failed to follow civil regulations.
We get to much things wrong here. I see a lot of good ideas on how to do it the right way. All that is missing is action!
This heinous act must be punished. I agree with BU and others that we need to mobilise the community to bring in info on these vagabonds and deal with them.
The issue of Ms. Ramm, is correct we must warn and agitate so Bajans do not frequent the place and it should include anyother place, ClubExtreme. This is people’s lives man and better enforcement is necessary. If those officials were in China they would have been shot for dereliction of public duty. Get your act together, you mean to this day the fire service does not have hilti equipment. That makes them look so ignorant, why in this day and age they do not have this type of equipment. After Arch Cot we should have been updgrading our disaster management capabilities, a review or audit of this type of emergency response should have been done immediately, and funds budgetted to gradually redress the situation.
Did Arch Cot happen in September too? We have earthquakes coming ever nearer to the southern Caribbean. Let’s get some priorities straight man.
Bajan Truth
Dont be so hard on the Fire Dept.
Trust me. For years the GOB has not farted on the Fire Dept. The BLP did not dfart on the Fire Dept to the extent that when Mia Mottley was in charge of that Dept she wont even attend the events of Fire week even for a photo op.
Added to that the hierarchy of the Fire Dept are all of a certain vintage where people with little education or common sense joined up and have reached the top by virtue of seniority and years served, or political association.
A certain clleague of mind, who shall be nameless, just before he gave up the post of Medical officer to the Fire Dept was advocating to the Chief that the Fire officers while waiting for fires at the fire house should be engaging in online studies and degrees on Fire fighting. Some fire officers low down the ranks have actually been doing such I believe.
Again, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LEADERSHIP AND CHOSING MEN WHOM WE DISCERN TO BE GOOD MEN. Look at the caliber of men chosen as the last three and current fire chiefs. Have they any vision. Or the interest to storm the courts of government for equipment? Are they capable of thinking out of the box? Are they innovative enough to beg or otherwise get needful equipment.
DO ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CARE ABOUT THIER LOT AND FRUSTRATIONS or do these things only come to mind when a problem like this arises?
PS I do know what I am speaking of here though it might not be Medicine LOL.
Georgie Porgie
You are speaking a lot about the Fire Service, are you a Fireman?
According to your reasoning, one ought not to offer opinions about areas where one is not trained or has not worked in.
How many years have you worked in the Barbados Fire Service?
LOL CCC There you go swiping blind again!
But just suppose I was at one time Medical Officer to the Fire Dept, and therefore in that capacity spent a lot of time talking to the men, and women throughout the rank and file, might I know just a teeny weny bit about the Fire Dept? Sir Hmmmmmmmmmm Is that answer humble enough Sir?
The direct answer to your question is about 10-12 years.
GP you work CCC like salts though.
BAJAN TRUTH
“After Arch Cot we should have been updgrading our disaster management capabilities, a review or audit of this type of emergency response should have been done immediately, and funds budgetted to gradually redress the situation.”
What a stinging indicment of the Barbados Labour Party, how glaring their incompetence!
Sixteen billion dollars in Vat revenue over their fourteen years in office. Very little spent on the Barbados Fire Service in way of equipment and trainning. These fine men and women have been given a basket to bring water in and yet we expect miracles from them.
Georgie Porgie
“But just suppose I was at one time Medical Officer to the Fire Dept, and therefore in that capacity spent a lot of time talking to the men, and women throughout the rank and file,”
That does not count accordding to your “logic”.
Its abt time they treat Tudor street like swan st and keep police there 24/7.. not shifts..
Too much nonsense happens out there. Those bandits shud have tried what they did somewhere else.. They took advantage of that store and the fact tht only Ladies work there..
I dont think they shud b sent to prison nor shud they be killed..
They shud b tortured continuously so they can feel it all and forver..
death is being nice to them, and prison is like a 5 star resort.
CCC
So now that you have the opinion of a reputable witness whom you like to disrespect and doubt, you are on your hobby horse whipping the BLP
How do you know that GP didnt lead you down the garden path? And why has the DLP not in its almost three years in office addressed the issue? Were they not supposed to CHANGE THINGS? Are you implying that they are incompetent too? Perhaps we really ought to give the PDC a chance next time then. They certainly can not do worse than the DLP ha ha ha
Anonymous | September 4, 2010 at 9:37 PM
I repeat again.
Sixteen billion dollars in Vat revenue over their fourteen years in office. Very little spent on the Barbados Fire Service in way of equipment and trainning by the Barbados Labour Party.
That says it all.
CCC
You are an ass- a real ass. You are sayng that a man like GP on associating with the rank and file of the Fire Dept for 10-12 years would not know about what happens in the Fire Dept.
Are you saying that an educated man like GP who is in to education would not have been able to Google and be able to discuss with the men the Universities where Fire Fighting courses were offered?
Do you know how close GP was to the Fire Officers, or are you just expressing your ignorance and hatred for Dr GP? Do tell us? Is there something that GP did to you that you are not telling us?
If the Barbados Labour Party Ministers had spent even ten percent of the taxpayers money which they have stashed away in secret offshore bank accounts on the Barbados Fire Service then Firemen in Bim would be able to perform miracles.
Another reason why they must be kept in the political wilderness.
CCC
How do you know what was spent on the Fire Dept? Do you work there? What do you know about the Fire Dept? seems that you are having a case of verbal diarrhoea. Are you shitting throgh youyr mouth or your brain?
CCC
What is is that GP did to you? Or was it to this Eustine that he always talking to you about?
The Barbados Labour Party got away with a lot of nonsense during their fourteen year occupation of the halls of Government.
Severely underfunding the Barbados Fire Service was one of their biggest crimes.
Besides the criminals responsible for this dastardly act on innocent workers, members of the last Barbados Labour Party government should also be arrested as acomplishes for failing to support the Barbados Fire Service when the money was available to do so.
Anyone following the BU blog focused on the fire service over the past year or so- can see that that local service is largely a scam. One gets the impression that what we have is a set of semi literates at each others throats to gain favours for promotions, and where most efforts are concentrated on pulling each other down- rather than providing cutting edge service.
If it is indeed true that efforts to break down the back wall only started after 3+ hours then this confirms the ineptness.
GP’s gripping analysis is unfortunately true.
To the Fire service’s credit, such mediocrity is common to all these services which eventually fall under the control of the politicians.
Rather than appoint visionary leaders, they like lackies who kowtow to their political wishes.
Fire Service
Town and country planning
Police
Defense Force
….all of them have mediocre wimpish leaders whose strength is in being able to absorb political brown stuff.
Bush Tea can still recall the incident when the police and bdf burnt down the old prison, how the two chiefs were always tagging along behind Mia like little puppies.
…LOL one kept looking for the leashes LOL
What ordinary Bajans need to recognize is that when the REALLY big crunch comes (and it will) sorry for anyone who depends on these agencies for help.
….ask the farmers about their plight with crop thieves.
The RBPF could not even move ninja man from the treasury building….. Government built an expensive fence around the place instead… How much lower can you go…?
The ‘leaders’ of these entities seem to be best at waging internal battles with perceived challengers – in the process ensuring that no one shows any initiative, creativity or outstanding work (which is seen as a challenge to the top dog)
Perhaps if the Police had channeled their energies towards the apprehension of the Chicken Galore Robber Bomber, instead of fighting each other, this tragedy might have been averted.
Is it any wonder that many a Caribbean country is pissed off with its native Top Cops and are contracting exPats?
The Politicians will shout and shed a few crocodile tears, but after the traditional 9 days,this tragedy will be shelved alongside Arch Cot and Joes River.
http://www.youtube.com/user/CBCBARBADOS
Firemen had no chance of saving those young ladies.
Yet another building with burgular bars that in a fire becomes a barrier to people trying to escape.
A molotov cocktail would have created so much terror that those young ladies would run away from it and they ended up trapped behind an inferno.
This was a cowardly act that has devasted the lives of a lot of people and the first priority for the Police is to find these criminals.
The most effective way of preventing the spread of fires in a building is to install a Sprinkler system.
Barbados does not have to invent them. The expertise and systems are available in North America.
I’m hearing alot talk about Ms. Ram, and I’m trying to see where the connection is between her and what happened on Friday. Somebody help me!
Why is Georgie Porgie focusing so much on Ms. Ram rather than the criminals who have taken lives in Tudor Street? I wonder if GP has the balls to walk to Ms. Ram and voice his concernsobjections directly to her, in the same way he shoots off here. Com’on Georgie, it’s time to make the news.
A tragedy and all people can do is look at the politics….stupse!!
Who employs the politicians?
Who votes them into a job?
Is it only me or do others HATE to hear our top officials re CP and Fire Chief speak?
Regurgitated clichés does not pass for wisdom!!
My sympathy to all involved, especially the families of the victims but also the firemen who, I am sure, did what they could against the odds of bank-grade walls and barricaded windows and who must now be devastated by guilt that they could not do more. Lets cut the vitreol and (1) catch the bastards (2) move to make our workplaces safe.
On the first point the police have moved to set up phone numbers to call for information. I think a hansome reward would ensure the assistance of certain elements of society.
Making our workplaces safe is a major challenge due to resource limitations. I suggest the agency responsible for enforcing safety, i.e the SAFETY & HEALTY UNIT of the LABOUR DEPARTMENT, immediately set up a ‘hotline’ for workers to report such issues as a lack of fire exits/ locked fire exits/ fire extinguishers that are incorrect, inadequate, no training given/ etc.
Business that are reported should be sent a letter stating that an unannounced inspection will be made & prosecution will follow if the allegations made are found to be true. This should require minimal resources by the Labour Dept. and should result in a rapid upgrade of our workplaces.
Don’t forget to catch the bastards that did this and set an example.
This was not just a random act of violence . This was well planned and executed with and intent to send a message. Bajans wake up!You are the gem of the carribbean. No stone should be left unturned in getting to the heart of this matter. It can happen again.
Lord of Mercy look down on your people in Barbados. Turn evil into good. Let the wicked persh for teir wrong doings. Amen.
Should we be asking for a day of National Pray and intercession to
rember the families of those who lost their loved ones.
A couple observations since the tragedy:
The owner of the business confirmed last night that the villains were handed money. It is there not accurate to suggest it was a robbery which went bad.
Secondly the fact petrol bombs were used means the robbers traveled to the site with them. Obviously tossing the Molotov cocktails is their MO.
The never ending journey.
“After your child dies, even if the death was to be expected, you’re in shock. You can’t believe it, your mind simply will not let you. The pain is so intense you wonder why it doesn’t kill you, and sometimes you wish it would. You can’t imagine anyone living with this kind of agony. Your shock turns to denial, and you think, “This can’t possibly be happening, there has been a terrible mistake.” You’re so desperate to have your child back, living without her is does not seem to be an option. You make deals with God, you ask to trade places with her, you would do anything for this not to be happening, anything for it all to be erased. Then you realize that nothing you can do will bring her back. You are not in control. It’s not up to you. You feel so utterly helpless. You cry in anguish until there are no tears left to cry. You scream out in anger and rage to the heavens above, and are left with an emptiness that is as deep as your soul. You dream of your child and you hold her in your arms and then you wake up and remember.”
I am so sad at the loss of those six young ladies; it really hurts to see their pictures in today’s papers.
The news that irritates me are all of these responsible persons now saying that there needs to be laws to make sure that buildings have emergency exits.
I cannot believe in 2010 that there are no laws which govern basic common sense safety regulations.
I think we need some practical common sense persons to become legislators. Barbados will become a better place.
Just a little while back some persons were trapped in a burning building on Constitution road because the emergency exit had burglar bars. You mean that investigations did not trigger a reaction that all buildings should have accessible emergency exits which must be law and constantly monitored by the fire service or special building inspectors.
This incident will past with all the talk and it will happen again and more talk again. I am sick of this behavior.
Town and Country are so hard on the average citizen to follow laws when they are building. It seems that big business has no problems
So what was the purpose of carrying petrol bombs in the first place. THe fact that they were given money and still carried out this horrific acts is mindboogling. They were on a mission of which they have succeded.
“gone to soon” is a perfect song for what has happened to these young women. It angers me what I see daily is happening to this society, I know that crime has always been around but not the level that we are experencing. Life is hard for alots of people but most of us go to work and take the shit from employers and co-workers and the cycle continues day after day but we work never the less.
@ david, I have been to the bowling at MRs Ram and that night the rain poured and poured, the damn games room flooded out, so did the bumper car area, the drainage systems are very poor.
@Hank, yes bajan architect went to school in north america but the crap that they design make me wonder.
Bajan need to stop accepting the shit that is fed to them and demand a high standard to service
Bush Tea wrote | September 4, 2010 at 10:11 PM |
Anyone following the BU blog focused on the fire service over the past year or so- can see that that local service is largely a scam. One gets the impression that what we have is a set of semi literates at each others throats to gain favours for promotions, and where most efforts are concentrated on pulling each other down- rather than providing cutting edge service.
I was wondering when someone would have got around to commenting on this blog. Assuming that Bush Tea has not ever worked at the Fire Dept. If he can CORRECTLY percieve EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS AT THE FIRE HOUSE from reading a blog on BU one wonders why the jackass CCC thinks that GP who confesses to have worked for the Fire Dept and know the officers could not see the same.
Verily I say unto you;
Should I not have read this thread before I made this comment?
http://bajan.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/armed-robbery-in-the-city-6-dead-tip-info/#comment-183644
How come we still have an Acting Prime Minister, when the sick leave for Mr. Thompson was up, and he returned to the Island before 1 Sept?