Govt assesses rebuilding options after Chapman Lane fire

The government said on Monday it has begun assessing options to rebuild homes destroyed in last week’s fire at Chapman Lane, after several families were left without belongings and placed in alternative accommodation.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Senator Shane Archer and the City of Bridgetown MP Michael Lashley visited the area with senior officials from the Rural and Urban Development Commission (RUDC) to assess the affected properties and determine whether residents have land titles that could facilitate rebuilding.

“We observed that they lost everything…they have lost everything, so it is a very dire situation at this point,” Senator Archer said.

He explained that the visit was aimed at determining how the RUDC could become involved in helping the affected families rebuild and return to normalcy.

“We’re here to help,” he said, noting that Lashley had been on the ground from the night of the fire.

Lashley said those displaced had already been placed in alternative accommodation and provided with basic necessities through the government’s social agencies.

“Those who were affected by the fire…they have been placed in alternate housing. The families are comfortable at this stage,” he said.

He said the focus would now shift towards rebuilding the destroyed homes and restoring the community.

“So we just need to work hard now and work quickly with the ministry,” Lashley said. “We have now to get the community involved, working along with the state, working along with rural, working along with the urban officials.”

The City MP praised the government’s social agencies for their swift response, saying residents were placed in alternative housing within hours of the blaze.

Community fundraising would also be important in helping the affected families regain stability, he said.

“So now we need to work on the community level in terms of fundraising activities, to get those funds so that we can assist the government and get this matter resolved and get the families back into a place of comfort.” (SB)