Dear Editor,
The season of fires continues with the recent conflagration at Parika Market, where, from all reports and accounts, the lack of health and safety practices was on full display.
It is being firmly posited by eyewitnesses (the vendors and stallholders) that the blaze which led to the massive destruction of the facility was ignited by sparks from welding being done on the structure. In a congested area like that, with all kinds of combustible materials, it was very reckless to conduct welding, knowing it could lead to potential danger, as it did.
The fairly recent destruction of a storage bond by fire which was similarly caused did not, it seems, provide any lessons to those who engaged in the welding activity at Parika. Now lives and livelihoods are disrupted, and people are in despair.
My sympathies to all those who suffered in this man-made tragedy. It is hoped they would overcome this setback and rebuild their lives and trade.
Sincerely,
Shamshun Mohamed
