By FRANCIS JOSEPH
Three persons, suspected to be members of a gang, are in police custody following Saturday night’s firebombing of the TSTT Copper Cable Storage facility on the Eastern Main Road, Laventille.
According to reports, the firebombing was planned as persons knew to video-tape the throwing of the devices into the compound. Persons on the Eastern Main Road reported that a group of men descended onto the area and while two were seen throwing a lighted flame towards the compound, others were video-taping it.
After the fire flared, they beat a hasty retreat. Although the TTPS said the fire was reported around 10.25 pm, the fire started hours earlier.
On Sunday, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service reported that three persons were assisting investigators into the incident.
The Fire Service responded to the report and by Sunday morning, had confirmed that the fire was extinguished.
The Fire Service responded with firefighting resources mobilized from several fire stations, supported by the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, and other agencies.
Police officers secured the affected area and implemented traffic diversions to facilitate emergency operations.
Preliminary estimates indicate that insulated copper cable valued at over $20 million was destroyed. “This figure is subject to formal confirmation, and the full extent of the damage is yet to be assessed,” the TTPS said.
One firefighter sustained superficial burns and smoke inhalation and was taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital for treatment.
As a result of the fire, several police units swung into action. From midnight to 6 am on Sunday, the police, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police “Operations”, Suzette Martin, conducted operations in Beetham, Laventille and surrounding areas.
Officers came from the Port of Spain Division, the Port of Spain Task Force, the Inter-Agency Task Force, the Transit Police, the Air Support Unit, the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB), the K-9 Branch and the Defence Force.
During the exercise, several locations, vehicles and persons were searched, and officers engaged residents to gather information on suspicious activity in the area.
In a media release on Sunday, DCP Martin added, “We take this incident extremely seriously. Any deliberate act that threatens lives, damages critical infrastructure or places emergency responders at risk, is unacceptable.
We will pursue all available investigative avenues to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident and bring those responsible to justice.”
Investigators said more arrests are expected.
They are asking anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the vicinity of the TSTT compound on Saturday evening, or who has information which may assist the investigation, is asked to contact the Besson Street Police Station. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Investigations are ongoing.
