Fire destroys vacation condo in Cayman Kai

| 17/07/2009

(CNS): In what the fire service says appeared to be an early morning electrical fire, a condo at Island House in Cayman Kai, Rum Point, has been destroyed and a second one damaged. Cayman Islands Fire Service (CIFS) officials received a report from 911 at 11:54 pm on Wednesday, 16 July, and two fire vehicles were dispatched from the Frank Sound Fire Station, arriving at the scene by 12:07am, and a third truck was dispatched from Central Fire Station in George Town. The condos were both empty and no one was hurt during the blaze.

When fire officers reached the scene they found that Unit 10 was engulfed with flames and they worked until the fire appeared to be extinguished by 1:08am, but three hours later, while standing-by at the scene, the fire reignited in the unit’s roof.

Dooly McLaughlin explained that it is not uncommon for a fire to reignite as even when a burning house is saturated there can be a hidden hot spot where the water didn’t penetrate. He said that was why fire officers stay on the scene watching even after a fire may appear to have been extinguished. “We often re-visit the scene of a fire several hours later as well to make sure that there are no more hot spots that could reignite,” he added,explaining that despite the water it can take hours and hours for a burned house to cool.

He confirmed that it did appear to be an electrical fire but investigations were on going.

The fire has extensively damaged unit 10 and also caused minor damage to the neighbouring unit 11.

For more information on preventing and detecting residential fires, contact McLaughlin at 244-3914.

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  1. Afraid to Strap on a Pair Also says:

    As a rental owner in Cayman Kai taking a hit with the economy, I’m guessing that the owner is secretly thrilled for "their loss."

  2. Richard Wadd says:

     Dear ‘Backstroke’,

    Yes I do a the agree that my first post seems a little harsh.

    However, for anyone to make a suggestion of seroius criminality without firstreviewing the information provided is inexcusable. It would have taken less time to read the article, than to post the comment. 

    The first paragraph of this article provided answers for all three questions. 

  3. Richard Wadd says:

     Perhaps if  "Anon" had a better command of the English Language, he / she would understand the meaning of ’empty’…. but perhaps that word might better describe the space inside of ‘Anon’s’ scull. Did you not read the article before commenting?

    Mr. McLaughlin provided a preliminary assesment of the cause of the fire in the article, and while not a final verdict, he ( a very professional and knowledgable Fire Officer) wouldn’t have given that statement without basis ….. unlike ‘Anon’.

    If you don’t have anything intelligent to contribute, DON’T.

    • backstroke says:

      Dont be so harsh, you know like all  of the posters that they quite frankly meant that the units were unoccupied, we need info and intelligent response not this.

      commanding the proper use of the english lanuage is so vain, you know it too.

  4. Anonymous says:

    "The condos were both empty and no one was hurt during the blaze."

  5. Annoynomous says:

    Dare I Even Suggest the "A" Word?"

    More details please.  Why was it not mentioned if there were occupants or injuries?  Do we take it for granted that these units were unoccupied?