Two fire incidents in the space of two hours
The Seychelles Fire Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) was called to deal with two fire incidents within the space of two hours in north Mahé.
One was in the Beau Vallon Parti Lepep office on Tuesday evening and the other in the Anse Etoile district administration office in the early hours of yesterday.
Because of its prompt arrival on site, the SFRSA was able to prevent further damage to both buildings.
According to SFRSA spokesperson Jones Madeleine, the Beau Vallon office could have been burned down completely as it is almost entirely made of wood.
He noted that the pattern of both fires are the same and a substance smelling like kerosene (petrol) has also been used at both venues.
The SFRSA suspects arson in both incidents and the cases have been lodged with the police for investigation.
“We were informed of the Beau Vallon fire at 10.14 on Tuesday night. When we arrived fire was burning in seven different parts of the office – on the furniture like chairs and sofas, which means the person responsible had lit a fire in different seats inside the office. The door also was already broken down when we reached there,” said Mr Madeleine.
He added that the security guard on duty at that time at the district administration office nearby was alerted by the sound of a television set exploding. It was he who quickly rushed to the scene and then called the SFRSA for help.
Besides the television set, some furniture were also destroyed by the fire.
Mr Madeleine said the next call the agency got was at 12.07am yesterday. This time the fire was at the Anse Etoile district administration office.
“Again it was the same pattern of fire that we saw at the Beau Vallon office. This is why we came to the conclusion that the two incidents were connected,” said Mr Madeleine, adding that this fire was also put out before it caused more damage.
The only thing that was damaged is part of a stage. There were also fire marks on the floor and on the walls.
Mr Madeleine has some advice to the public regarding these two fire incidents.
“Do not use fire as a solution to a problem as you will end up in more problems,” he said.