Fire in Nassau while Dream was in Port

[k5jm]

Big fire near the Cruise Terminal area in Nassau.

Thanks, Jeff

Article

Blaze in downtown Nassau destroys several buildings and threatens others
Monday, 14 February 2011 11:51

A massive blaze ripped through several harbourside buildings in downtown Nassau early Monday, destroying several building and threatening others.

At one point, the Churchill Building, which houses the Cabinet Office, caught fire, but was brought under control and extinguished quickly by fire officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

The Betty K building, located just east of East Street North was the reported source of the original fire which broke out before 8:00 a.m. Monday, February 14. The densely packed nature of the buildings in the area enabled the fire to spread quickly. Several fire engines from around New Providence were dispatched to the scene to respond to the major fire.

No injuries have been reported that were directly caused by the fire, however, a photographer from The Tribune working on the scene has been injured when he fell from one of the affected buildings.

Photos sent to BahamaIslandsInfo.com from residents in the area are shown below.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm wondering if this will affect future cruises.

I'm guessing not, since the ship was in port while it happened. I don't recall just what those buildings housed, but obviously there is much more to Nassau than just right there at the port.

Do you suppose this is the straw market area?

 

[doconeill]

It is apparently in the Rawson Square area. Reportedly it started in the Betty K Shipping office building (which may have been loaded with flammable materials), and spread to some surrounding buildings, like the Churchill Building and the Bacardi building/store.

Been a long time since I've been there but I think the market is a bit further west.

Now that I think of it, the Bacardi House may have been the former Planet Hollywood that I don't think ever fully opened due to licensing issue IIRC, so that might be the eastern end of the market area.

 

[safetymom]

Someone had pics on FB. As you are looking at Nassau from the ship the fire was to the left of the yellow tower as you walk to exit the port along the water. So it was right next to it.

I was surprised to see the Dream pulled in at Nassau instead of backing in.