Roseau awoke to devastation in the early hours of Monday as a massive fire tore through a section of Dominca’s capital, destroying historic buildings and disrupting several businesses along King George IV Street.
The intense blaze, which broke out before dawn, caused significant structural damage and forced the closure of one of the country’s leading pharmacies, Jolly’s Pharmacy.
According to Dominica News Online, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit publicly expressed his support and concern following the incident. In an interview with the local media in Dominica, he extended sympathies to the many business owners and individuals affected by the fire, acknowledging the distress it caused.
“I can only imagine the anxiety of the many business people, and one church was impacted, and the property owners,” he said. “But thankfully, there were no reported fatalities associated with the fire.”
He noted the magnitude of the blaze and expressed gratitude that no lives were lost. The Prime Minister also pointed out that strong winds in the morning made firefighting efforts even more challenging.
While saying he hoped for heavier rain to help contain the flames, Skerrit commended the fire crews for working in a “heroic manner” to combat the fire.
Skerrit further assured the public that authorities will continue to investigate the cause of the blaze. He confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that once complete, the findings will be shared with the community.
As Roseau begins the recovery process, attention now turns to rebuilding and supporting the businesses and property owners who have suffered heavy losses in what many are describing as one of the most significant fires in recent years.
