he Barbados Fire Service values the public's assistance in fighting fires but that help must come under the guidance of its officers.

Divisional Officer Randolph Cox said civilians were not allowed to take up and use any of the service's equipment.

"I can understand people's enthusiasm and that they want to assist but they have to do so under the guidance of the fire service," he said.

Cox was speaking to the Press last Friday at the scene of a fire in Mason Hall Street, The City, where one house was extensively damaged and three others slightly affected.

Hindered

Fire officials reported they were hindered in doing their jobs by residents who were trying to help, although they also thanked the residents for removing some of the items from the houses.

Winston Callender and Charles Jackman were among the first people on the scene. They live nearby and made sure the gas bottles in the most severely damaged house was removed, as well as some items from the other houses, as they said they liked helping people.

They added that other people who came later tried to use a fire service hose which did not have a nozzle, but they could not control it.

Jackman is the uncle of Debrico Douglas, the ten-year-old boy who lost his life in April in a fire in New Orleans. (CA)