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The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the response to a major fire at the Public Works Department warehouse at Subbase that erupted just after 8:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Just before 8:30 a.m. the 911 Emergency Communications Center received a call about a fire at the Public Works Department’s warehouse, which is used as the department’s mechanic shop.
All fire stations responded to the major fire which engulfed the three-story facility used to repair and house a number of vehicles and heavy equipment, including hydraulic lifts. About 40 firefighters fought the blaze bringing it under control within two hours. The fire was completely extinguished in four hours, at about 12:30 p.m.
Other responders included the Department of Planning and Natural Resources and the US Coast Guard, which worked to contain oil and hydraulic fluid that spilled from the warehouse as a result of the fire. DPNR and the US Coast Guard placed buoys in the nearby drainage trench to prevent the spill from reaching the shoreline.
The VI Police Department and St. Thomas Search and Rescue also responded. There were no reports of injuries as of 2 p.m.
The Fire Service is cautioning residents downwind of the Subbase facility, especially those with compromised immune systems, to take precautionary measures.
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