A fire at the power station in Pockwood Pond started early Sunday morning, but was quickly extinguished, officials said. Photo: GIS

A fire that started at about 5 a.m. Sunday at the Henry Wilfred “Freddie” Smith Power Station in Pockwood Pond was extinguished by plant staff and members of the Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Service, government announced.

A fire at the power station in Pockwood Pond started early Sunday morning, but was quickly extinguished, officials said. Photo: GIS
“The fire originated with switchgear located in a formerly operational portion of the electricity plant,” according to a Sunday announcement from Government Information Services. “The fire contained to that area was successfully extinguished and a thorough assessment of damages will be conducted.”

Communications and Works Minister Mark Vanterpool thanked the BVI Electricity Corporation and the VIFRS for their response.

“They reacted quickly and did a marvelous job,” Mr. Vanterpool said, adding that an initial assessment of the damages determined that the fire has not delayed plans for restoring power to the territory.

He added that power has been restored to some areas of Pockwood Pond and the BVIEC is working hard to restore power to other areas.

Since the passage of Hurricane Irma, power has been restored to supermarkets, gas stations in central areas, and businesses including funeral homes, along with some areas in Long Swamp and Virgin Gorda, according to government.

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