Structural fires occurred on both St. Croix and St. John over the past two days. Monday afternoon, a structural fire was reported on St. Thomas, according to the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services.
VIFEMS swiftly responded to a structural fire at Agave Restaurant in Havensight Mall at 2:19 p.m. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon and the Hotel Company was dispatched. Upon arrival, four units found the establishment filled with smoke, according to the VIFEMS report.
The VIFEMS team promptly shut off the breakers and gas connections to begin their operations. They cleared the kitchen of smoke using horizontal and mechanical ventilation techniques to improve visibility and safety conditions. The VIFEMS crew thoroughly inspected the entire structure to locate the source and additional hotspots. Once identified, the fire was extinguished effectively, preventing further damage, the report stated.
“Despite challenging conditions with heavy smoke and limited visibility, we acted swiftly to contain the fire and ensure the safety of everyone present. This incident affirms our mission as first responders to be adaptable, decisive, and united in our efforts to keep our community safe,” stated Sgt. Patricia Benjamin.
An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire, VIFEMS said.
