SUCKER GARDEN--A huge fire burned out of control on the hill to the left (West) of the road between Sucker Garden and Defiance last night.
It was fanned by a brisk wind, causing it to race upwards and spread laterally to the left and right. Very soon, the fire covered the entire face of the hill and spread out across its base approximately 200 yards.
The fire raced up and over the peak of the hill and started to burn down the other side by 10:30pm. It cut a swathe through the bush that was visible from miles away.
Houses facing Madame Estate on the hill area had to be evacuated.
The fire was clearly beyond the resources of the Fire Department, which could not tackle the blaze due to lack of accessibility and water.
The main focus of concern for the Fire Department was to try to secure the safety of houses and residents. At press time it was not yet known how many houses might be damaged or lost completely.
The heat of a bush fire fanned by wind is intensified due to the increase in available oxygen without which no fire can survive. Increased oxygen levels can raise the temperatures to in excess of 1,000 degrees.
Police officers blocked off the road from the Sucker Garden area by Gas King and only emergency services vehicles were allowed to pass. Members of the press also were not allowed to pass the area on foot due to thick smoke that at times was blown back down the hill. An officer explained that they were concerned that people might become affected by smoke inhalation, such was the density of smoke emitted from the fire.
As the flames raced onwards unchecked they started to approach the area of Arch Road where many wooden shacks are located. It was unknown at press time how many shacks were located in the bush areas and whether any homes had been destroyed.
Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/12988-huge-bush-fire-burns-out-of-control.html
Antigua & Barbuda Christina Aguilera BBC Egypt Energy industry Sevilla
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