Detainee Hospitalized After Fire at Old US Air Base Detention Centre

A fire at the Old US Air Base in Coolidge on Monday left one detainee hospitalized, authorities confirmed.

The blaze affected two units at the Immigration Detention Centre, prompting a response from fire officers with two tenders. Public Relations Officer Lester Bagot told Antigua.news that the units were already ablaze when firefighters arrived.

The St John’s Fire Station received a call stating that a structure was on fire at the Old Navy base at Coolidge. An immediate response was made by the Fire crew in the No, 17 and 19 Fire tenders. On arrival at the scene the crew met two units of the Immigration Detention Center on fire.

“Water was used to control and extinguish the fire. The fire was confined to 2 units of the center. The Fire Brigade is investigating the origin of the Fire,” he said.

There was another detainee at the site, and plans are underway to relocate that individual. A third prisoner remains at the base, though no relocation decision has been made.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.