The Barbados Fire Service has acquired a water tanker capable of carrying 3 000 gallons. The tanker was purchased for $715 972 from British company Angloco, which designs, manufactures and distributes firefighting and rescue equipment.

It was officially handed over at the Grantley Adams International Airport. Chief Fire Officer Wilfred
Marshall said the new tanker, the "first of its kind on the island", would be stationed at the service's Bridgetown headquarters and used in the event of a major fire "where we have problems accessing water".

"Before the acquisition of this vehicle, whenever we had major fires we would have to call the Barbados Water Authority to assist us... so this is the vehicle that will help us within the early hours of the fire [as] we now have 3 000 gallons of water. Our [present] water tankers carry 600 gallons and this 3 000 gallons is [the equivalent of] five water tenders immediately on scene," Marshall explained.

British High Commissioner Paul Brummell said the High Commission was delighted to be involved in the presentation of the tanker.