TREASURE CAY FIRE

December 1999 Table of Contents

TREASURE CAY FIRE

The Brigantine Canal home Heidaway belonging to Karl (Kelly) and Heidi Capelle was totally destroyed by fire on the evening of 5th November. Ironically, it was the British traditional Guy Fawkes night - a time for controlled and joyous fires and fireworks. There was nothing joyous about the loss of such a beautiful home in a fierce and violent conflagration fanned by strong winds.

Heidi was not on the island and Kelly had arrived in Treasure Cay just that morning. When the fire started, Kelly was having supper at the Spinnaker at about 7.30 pm. Neighbours raised the alarm and soon there were many people plunging buckets into the canal in a futile attempt to quench the fire. Attention quickly turned to the neighbouring houses belonging to the Sheehes and McKays. Dousing of the buildings prevented the blaze spreading further. People even climbed the roof of Woody and Nancy McKay's home to hose down the side facing the fire. The heat was so fierce that windows house smashed when the water touched them.

The Marsh Harbour Volunteer Fire Department arrived upon the scene and stayed a long time to make sure the embers of Heidaway were well and truly soaked.

A Treasure Cay resident present at the blaze noted that some kind of fire-fighting system should be on hand in the community. "All that water just feet away and no way, except buckets, to get it to the fire! Just about every home here is near a canal, near the sea, or has a pool."

If equipment and volunteers were found, the Marsh Harbour Volunteer Fire Department would assist in all aspects of training, a representative told the Abaco Journal.

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