Police Public Relations Officer (Ag.), Inspector Rodney Inniss and Barbados Defence Force Media Officer, Shimar Gollop, as they spoke to members of the media yesterday.
It was speculated that the incident resulted in a small fire that was seen burning on the airport runway.
Residents in the neighbourhood of Paragon Base and for several
surrounding miles got the shock of their lives just before noon
yesterday as sharp explosions rocked the atmosphere. After initial
fears that an aircraft had crashed were allayed, it was revealed that
the disturbance had come from the military base where it is reported
that fireworks and other explosive material managed to be ignited.
With about four fire tenders from the nearby airport station
responding to the scene, the explosions caused a small fire on a
nearby grassy area, which was quickly brought under control. However,
two persons were injured in the incident which consisted of a massive
explosion followed by several secondary blasts.
It has been reported that two containers which were used for the
storage of the material were destroyed while two motor vehicles were
damaged in the blast as well. Residents in the area reported that
wireless internet service and electricity were both affected by the
blast.
Speaking to members of the media a safe distance away, Police Public
Relations Officer (Ag.), Inspector Rodney Inniss, explained that there
was an emergency call of an explosion in the area of the airport and
that personnel from the Oistins and Airport Police stations responded.
“Our investigations led us to Paragon Base where it was reported that
there was an explosion. Apparently some fireworks and other explosive
devices are normally stored there in a number of containers. And for
some reason, still under investigation, there was an explosion. Two
persons at this time are injured and the extent of their injuries, we
are not fully aware,” he said, adding that he was happy that there
were not any fatalities at this stage.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic, was seen
leaving the base and stopped to speak to members of the media. Noting
that his presence at the site, which also houses the Regional Security
System and one of Government’s COVID-19 quarantine centres, was as a
member of the Defence Board and National Security Council, he said
that the public could rest assured that patients at the facility were
safe.
“I am really sorry about what happened and I can give the assurance
that Paragon is a very large compound and that the quarantine centre
which is located at Paragon, was not in the area of the explosion or
the incident. And that all persons – staff as well as the patients
down there – they are quite well. They were not impacted in any way at
all. They are quite safe and did not have to evacuate and we don’t
have any issues with them whatsoever,” he said. (MP)