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Each year in The Bahamas fire destroys lives and property. Bimini has sustained several serious fires over the past ten years which have left many families homeless. Fire is no friend when it is out of control. Most Bahamians do not have adequate insurance to replace the cost of a home destroyed by fire and nothing can replace the life of a loved one killed in a blaze.

The Compleat Angler Hotel burned completely on January 13, 2006, destroying one of Bimini's most famous landmarks. The Bimini volunteers did their best to stop the blaze but it was out of control. They did save a house next to the hotel.  The smoke alarms in the hotel awakened the sole guest so he exited without injury. Sadly, Bimini resident Julian Brown, a former Olympic athlete(1960) and one of the proprietors, was killed in the blaze.

The Compleat Angler Hotel ablaze in 2006

Volunteer fire fighters extinguish a house fire which destroyed a resident's home.

Bimini is equipped with a fire appliance equipped to tackle a major fire. The 1957 pumper truck is under the direction of the Royal Bahamas Police and the fire fighters are residents of Bimini who have volunteered for the fire brigade. The Royal Bahamas Police Fire Branch is involved in the training of the volunteers. Cat Cay also has a volunteer brigade and a pumper truck.  Persons interested in joining the fire volunteers need to contact the Alice Town Police Station at 347 3144 or the island Administrator's Office at 347 3222.

FIRE: CALL 919

Image Design CHECKLEY

Information On Fire Equipment and Fire Fighting History

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_apparatus

PARENTS TAKE NOTE!!

Parents and guardians need to hold actual home fire drills so that if there is a fire everyone knows how to escape quickly and where everyone should meet once outside. Meeting outside the home designated spot is very important. This way everyone can be sure that everyone is safely out of the burning house.

Smoke detectors are very inexpensive and can save lives. Does your home have one? Most smoke detectors cost less than $20 and are battery operated. if you have a smoke detector check the battery every month!

INSTALL A SMOKE DETECTOR!

IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.

FACT: SMOKE FROM A FIRE KILLS MORE PEOPLE THAN THE FLAMES!

Even a home built of concrete blocks can have a fire.

Outside fires used for burning trash and brush need to be watched carefully. A fire can quickly spread and overtake a large area.

Children MUST not be permitted to get close to any fire. They need to know the dangers of playing with matches, lighters and candles.

FIREWORKS CAUSE INJURIES EVERY YEAR. Fireworks and fire-crackers should not be in the hands of children. Eye injuries can leave your child blind or visually impaired. Children are excited by fire and especially by fire-works. This results in their excitement overtaking their thinking. They don't think about the dangers and suddenly there is an accident. Parents and adults need to do the thinking!

BIMINI HAS HAD SEVERAL DEVASTATING FIRES WITHIN THE PAST FEW YEARS --- PEOPLE WERE LEFT HOMELESS.  FIRE CAN OFTEN BE PREVENTED! DO YOUR PART -- DON'T GIVE FIRE A PLACE TO START.

Here is a useful link for our kids to learn more about fire safety. Also a great tool for parents and teachers.

Kids...try this site:

www.sparky.org