Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

“Dangers Of Outdoor Burning,” Focus Of Fire Safety Week

Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Zebalon McLean said the dangers of backyard and outdoor burning were the main focus of activities to observe this year’s Fire Safety Awareness Week.
Chief McLean said backyard and outdoor burning are extremely dangerous as more homes in the Territory are closer in proximity. He added that living in the tropics provide consistent high temperatures and sea breeze blowing inland, which result in controlled fires quickly and easily becoming out of control.

The chief said, “Our main concern is, and has always been, our residents, our neighbours, our fellow humans. We have seen a rise in respiratory ailments and, even without those conditions, it is a massive health threat to have persons inhaling smoke from backyard and outdoor fires set by neighbours.”

Mr. McLean added, “We continue to appeal to residents not to "smoke out" their neighbours. No one wants to have smoke in their homes; in their clothes, furniture, curtains and throughout their rooms. We urge the public, please, think of your neighbor. Don't do unto others what you would not want done to you."

Chief McLean said the week of activities for Fire Safety and Awareness week was well received by the public.

“Positive statements were made to officers, generous donations were received by various entities, many leaders in Government sent their best wishes, and persons were interested in what was happening,” he said.

Courtesy calls were made on the chief and his staff by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie; Deputy Premier, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley and Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Honourable Neville Smith. Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines also provided lunch in recognition of their service to the Territory.

The Chief Fire Officer said Fire Safety Awareness Week is a tradition started by past Chief Fire Officer Mr. Leando Stoutt, and reminded residents of the importance of being safe and smart, when it comes to fires.

He thanked the business community including Trident Trust, who donated six J&C Trading Ltd gift certificates valued at $50 to the winners of the ZBVI Morning Quiz. The winners were, Anjanique Cheltenham; Dejae Sebastian; Dejoie Sebastian and Keosha Leostin. Other sponsors of prizes included Harney’s, Digicel and SOL.

This year's Fire Safety Week was held from October 11 to 17 and was declared officially opened by Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye Rymer at the Sea Cow’s Bay Methodist Church under the theme, ‘Smoke Kills – Be Fire Safe and Fire Smart’.

The Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Service continues to carry out its mandate of protecting life, property and the environment, through a proactive approach to continuously enhance the quality of service provided.

For more information telephone the Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Service at 468-4268 or 468-4182.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
×