Philipsburg:--- A group of young men who live on Back Street were highly commended by neighbors and police for their efforts during the early hours of Wednesday morning when a fire started on the upper floor of Kary's Guest House on Back Street (Former Scott's Bakery). Neighbors and eyewitnesses to the early morning blaze told SMN News that they began smelling smoke from around 1am but they did not take the scent seriously.
An elderly woman who lives across the street said the blaze on top of Kary's Guest House started at around 3am and several of the neighborhood boys began a bucket brigade to extinguish the fire before the fire department reached the scene.
Fire Fighter Silvanico Polletta told SMN News that one of his colleagues who lives in the area was awakened by the scent of smoke and he decided to follow the scent to see where the smoke was coming from. Polletta said that his colleague firefighter Dollison discovered the fire around 4:30am and it was his colleague who called the fire department at 4:30am. Polletta said that the fire department dispatched four fire trucks because when they reached the scene the fire was already spreading to a building next door. Polletta said that his colleagues did all they could to prevent the next door building from being damaged but the building still suffered smoke and water damages. Polletta commended the young men and neighbors who tried to bring the blaze under control but he said when situations like this arise the first thing people need to do is call the fire department.
The fire fighter said that up to press time they did not determine the cause of the fire. He said the fire started in a wooden structure on the upper floor of the building, this structure he said is located at the back of the building. Polletta said the guests that were in the guest house at the time of the fire were evacuated and provisions were made for them.
The fire department also called in the department of VROMI to assess the building and demolish the area that can pose any type of threat to people. Polletta said St. Maarten is under storm watch and it is essential for VROMI and the Fire Department to take all the necessary steps to ensure everyone's safety.
VROMI Inspector Henry Ellis also confirmed to SMN News that the department of VROMI was working on demolishing the wooden structure at the back of Kary's Guest House. Ellis said that they have to make sure the entire area is safe during the passing of tropical storm Isaac.
