Blank faces and stares of unbelief can best describe the expressions of those watching the inferno from behind yellow police tape Saturday morning as firefighters desperately tried to quench the blaze that had engulfed the Lucayan Medical Centre West building.
A passing motorist travelling along Adventurers Way alerted Fire Services around 6:40 that morning on seeing flames coming from the roof of the medical centre.
Two fire engines were immediately dispatched to the location where officers found the blaze raging near the front section.
Shortly after the main entrance door was forced open to access the source of the fire, police say the metal roof in the main section of the building collapsed, resulting in the firefighters retreating to the outside.
Explosive sounds were also heard during the ordeal and onlookers were warned to remain a safe distance from the blaze.Police Press Liaison Chief Superintendent Basil Rahming said a strong southerly wind was fuelling the blaze which caused the fire to intensify.
Police cordoned off an entire block and stood guard while their colleagues fought the fierce fire.
But their efforts were in vain, even after calling in back-up from BORCO fire personnel, the Grand Bahama International Airport Crash and Rescue Unit, and Sanitation Services Water Tankers.
Thick smoke in the immediate area also rendered the block impassable for motorists.
As news of the blaze spread, residents congregated at strategic areas and inched closer trying to get a better view.
Some even parked on the grass while others stood outside their vehicles for hours and watched, barely saying a word.
Doctors and employees of the facility also watched in amazement.
Motorists observed the dark grey smoke emanating from the blaze from as far as the highways, and some stopped to capture the moment on film.
The fire completely destroyed the facility and all of its medical equipment.
Health Minister Senator Marcus Bethel, a major shareholder of the Lucayan Medical Centre Company, was on the scene that morning and briefed the media.
“We are certainly devastated by the obvious total destruction of this building by fire,” he said.
The structure, which the minister called, “something of a landmark,” was initially built in 1968 by one of the original internists during the early development of Freeport, and was expanded in 1983.
The private clinic offered a variety of medical services including general and family practice, eye services, obstetrics, gynecology and other special services.
The Kidney Treatment Centre, which was housed at that building, began operating from their new facility and relocated to the Quantum-Physicians Plus at the end of 2004.
“We’re happy that one, no lives were lost in this particular fire, and we’re equally happy the vital services of the kidney and dialysis unit are not affected,” said Dr. Bethel.
At that time, Dr. Bethel said, there was no known cause of the fire and he could not give a cost of the loss as insurance representatives were expected on the scene to assess the damage.
Some 20 employees are employed between the west facility and its sister clinic, Lucayan Medical Centre East.
Meanwhile, Minister Bethel is advising that patients with appointments at the facility today contact Lucayan Medical Centre East for further instructions regarding their doctors’ location and where they can receive service.
The computer systems between both clinics were linked for accounting purposes, but not patient files, Dr. Bethel revealed.
Police say because of quick action by the staff members all of the files and medical records were saved.
Dr. Bethel said a meeting with doctors and staff will be held early this week to determine the next step.
“It’s total destruction as the police chief has just told me,” he said.
“We’ll have to just pick up and start over again.”
The fire was still burning at midday and police officials remained on the scene until it was safe for motorists to pass.
Police say the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
By LEDEDRA MARCHE, Senior Freeport News Reporter
