The Ministry of Communications and Works and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force are investigating a fire at the Road Town pump station which damaged several wires, vacuum pumps and other components at the main pump station.

The Virgin Island Fire and Rescue Services responded to an emergency call from the Water and Sewerage Department on October 2 to address a fire at the pump station in Road Town. The Ministry of Communications and Works’ Special Projects Team was also called on the scene.

Upon the team’s arrival at the scene, the fire was already extinguished but some damage was done. The Fire and Rescue Services assessed the situation and confirmed that the fire was caused by gasoline in the pumps lines and chambers.

Several departments including the Royal Virgin Island Police Force and the Department of Disaster Management were mobilised to aid in closing a portion of the Waterfront Drive from Road Town Roundabout to the Cutlass Building to enable the team to clear the sewerage lines of gasoline.  

Director for the Water and Sewerage Department, Mrs. Perline Scatliffe-Leonard, said “By 3:30 p.m. the sewerage lines were cleared of 99% of the gasoline, operation was restored and the road was opened to receive normal traffic. At the moment the pump station is back online but because of fire damage, vacuum pumps will need extensive repair or possibly replaced.”

The nearby SOL Gas Station was also investigated for leakage and cleared of any leaks.The Police Force is gathering footage from surrounding businesses to search for any evidence that someone may have illegally dumped the fuel in the pump station.

The public is being reminded that all toxic fuels should be disposed at the incinerator in Pockwood Pond where it can be properly handled and not at the sewerage station which controls the Territory’s sewage.

The Ministry of Communications and Works moves forward with improving the National Sewerage System and implementing stricter procedures to monitor the activity of the pump station to ensure that incidents such as this do not reoccur.