Fire Services identifies culprit of Silver Lake blaze

The fire left about 60 people homeless

An electrical short circuit is the cause of a massive blaze in Silver Lake on Boxing Day which left about 60 people homeless Deputy Fire Chief Farley Riviere has said.

He said the Fire and Ambulance Services has concluded its investigation into the fire and its cause has been determined based on facts and evidence.

“Based on the facts, the evidence that we got, the fire actually started through an electrical short circuit,” Riviere said.

He stated that the fusing of wires pointed to a short circuit as the culprit behind the blaze.

Furthermore, he pointed out that information received from the people living in the building indicated where the electrical outlet was and “that was after we found the wires and everything that looked like it was the evidence of exactly where the fire started.”

Riviere stated that the investigation was concluded shortly after it began because the point of origin of the fire was swiftly identified.

“We did our investigation very quickly because it was reported as to where the area of origin for the fire … and since we had that we concluded the investigation very shortly after that because we were able to a reach a point which we call point of origin that showed us exactly where the fire started and the evidence of what may have happened there,” he explained.

Riviere said he himself showed the police what may have happened.

“And we had pictures taken of the wires that were burnt and of course fused together, that is the evidence we are talking about that indicates that there could have been a short circuit in the area,” he said.

The site of the fire was cleaned up hours after the fire, prompting concerns in some that such action may compromise investigations into its cause.

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74 Comments

  1. January 3, 2017

    MORE LAFF……………

  2. Etymological
    January 2, 2017

    Well Sah Country Running Good and we Like it So its high time to clean up the Slums !! We are coming home to Rebuild :oops: :?: :)

  3. KIP
    January 1, 2017

    Sorry people but do Dominicans suffer from :delusions of grandeur – a delusion (common in paranoia) that you are much greater and more powerful and influential than you really are.

    I support the PM on that quick action to get ride of that shanty.Its a shame that some Silver lake residents lived in such deplorable housing… This looks like Cité Soleil Haiti.

  4. December 31, 2016

    mr riviere its a shame you a pretending that you a so competent you a making the public lose confidence in you mr williams T would do a better job you a follower of skirit its just a matter of time sir it was your bday gift you a making mr dupuise fill shame

  5. I am an electrical/ electronic engineer by profession, I know about electricity, and the distribution power, I also know the meaning of the term short; or short circuit! When talking about a short we know; like charges repel each other; while unlike charges attracts each other.

    A short circuit can only be caused in AC (alternating Current) when the load, and the neutral lines (H & L) by whatever means comes into contact with each other! So for simply curiosity I would like you to explain to people as me, where did you discover this so called short circuit you are talking about?

    In one comment you said firemen got shocked by live electrical wires: Because of that comment I have every reason to believe you do not know what you are talking about! In the first place firefighters going to fight a blaze; first order of business is to ensure that electrical power is turned off from the area of the incident: Somebody is mad and unless you can identify precisely where you discover the…

    • Continue:

      Somebody is mad and unless you can identify precisely where you discover the short, and what caused it, just be quiet; because all of us Dominicans are certainly no dumb!

      Something about the fire is suspicious; and perhaps the people who are now homeless are aware of what cause of the fire, and is probably why they interfered: if you got shocked, how many of the interfering people got shocked? Someone ordered the place bulldozed and clean, to cover up some evidence. Never, in the history after a fire in our country someone goes in and clean it up a day after the fire; that is instant, and arouse suspicions.

  6. MWEN ENKOR
    December 31, 2016

    First time in world history that an investigation to a fire has gone so quickly. Hats off fire officers for lying just to protect the wrong decision of a PM you consider as a god, because he cannot go wrong.
    Remember that no lie will live for ever. OU KA MANTI.
    Dominica is on a downward spiral. This is a path of self-destruction. Only time will tell.

  7. Academic
    December 31, 2016

    Lord have mercy on these puppets in Dominica. All singing for their supper!!! Riviere I’m ashamed of you.

  8. You-see-a-capital F-on-our-foreheads?
    December 30, 2016

    If one follows closely the time frames relative to the starting, of the fire, burning of those properties, when fire fighters arrived on the scene to put out the fire, when investigations began, , time fire was extinguished completely, ordering of bacoe, who made the order, time bacoe began work and so on. Mind-boggling conclusion Ag. Chief of fire dept.

    What kind of relationship does the acting fire Chief have with any DLP politician? Do your research. Find out and put 1 and 1. Protection and defence of Massa come first before country

    The Acting Chief of Fire Dept. doesn’t know that if the firemen face difficulties from residents in doing their work that they could have the persons arrested, because such behaviour could cause more severe damages or loss of life? so where were the police to see those obstructions from the residents of Silver lake and stop it?

    Never forget the Communication equipment at Marigot that was damaged by fire? Arson? Nothing up to now

  9. freegid tree
    December 30, 2016

    “that was after we found the wires and everything that looked like it was the evidence of exactly where the fire started.” :lol: “THAT LOOKED LIKE?” COULD YOU WIN A CASE BY SAYING, “IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS THE EVIDENCE OF EXACTLY WHERE THE FIRE STARTED?” Well, it really looked like something else too. :twisted:

  10. Helas!
    December 30, 2016

    Farley , you have lost my confidence in the fire service ability to investigate, when fire burns pvc rubber melts, when fire burns if it is hot enough it causes other materials to melt likewise. it is difficult to simply say what you said was conclusive proof of where the fire started, even while later in your statement saing could have started. What if it did not start that way.
    I guess I understand what you are trying to do but let me just tell you what you say is facts is really not so strong.

  11. Sixth nine
    December 30, 2016

    Relocate Relocate, send them to birds island and renamed it to galvanised city problem solved!

  12. DA
    December 30, 2016

    But what kind of apartments were those nuh? Galvanized apartments? They burn the place so they could run and play hero for votes that sick. Well at least the people of Silver Lake will get some nice updated real apartments with proper wiring that won’t socall short circuit.

  13. Freelance
    December 30, 2016

    Farley come on get to work on the fire of Gon Emmannuel and the Melville Hall fire. You all are wasting time man. You have fire experts who can determine the cause of a large fire within hours even before it has been fully extinguished and man all you still working for 2000 a month in Dominica man you are joking. With these skills and competences you all should be highly paid investigators or in the words of a former chief of police expert arsness. But where were these experts all the time nuh because I once had a fire at my house and although it was clear to see it was caused by a fan the fire service took a week before they could conclude their investigations and to give me an official report for insurance purposes. Hahaha so I guess they have improved tremendously giving the cause of a major fire in a matter of hours. They were maybe trained in China. Messy Riviere messy; sorrie sorrie I meant Merci Riviere Merci.

  14. LOVE
    December 30, 2016

    I have been following up this story because I find it very interesting… Matt Peltier should have never played that interview with Mr. Riviere this morning. Because it’s not only Dominicans listening to this Radio it’s Global. And that interview this morning and what I am reading their now tells you that this whole situation even every department in this country is compromise. If you can have a Deputy chief can’t tell you the time of a investigation but can tell you when he left, by boasting he spent the entire day when it’s was only 14 hours. It’s Sad. This one incident shows conflict I interest by a deputy chief fire officer and the abuse of power by the prime minister…

  15. rescue 911
    December 30, 2016

    According to emanuella .its a lie its a lie. All you couldt figure thst out in a few hours among the rubble.

  16. jonathan st jean
    December 30, 2016

    Mr Riviera,”that could have been the evidence” and” what could have happened” What the hell are you talking about.If you say you have concluded your investigation then such words as could have happened and may have happened don’t come in the equation.I knew it that you are incompetent and a square peg in a round hole puppet of the Skerritt administration.Either you know for sure what caused the fire or you don’t.If you don’t as your words indicate then how can you give permission to to disturb the scene.You are an arrogant baffoon

  17. Tjebe fort
    December 30, 2016

    Fairley, you better than Sherlock Holmes man. You are so brilliant your superior must be a nincompoop, perhaps you can also solve the cause of the fire at mr. & mrs. Emmanuel’s home. thank you brother, I would be grateful for that. Or maybe that cold case too cold for you?

  18. ?
    December 30, 2016

    I am a fire fighter in north America and i can say this much, you all should go to jail . Starting from the PM to the fire Marshall. Dominicans wake up my peeps PM is the leader of this country and you people should ccorrect him when he is wrong don’t just sit and say i love my pm . shame shame .

  19. Just Passing Through
    December 30, 2016

    What is it we want? Faulty wiring cause fires and big ones all the time. Would some feel better if it were arson? What is the matter with us? Praise God there were no deaths or serious injury.

  20. Passing Cloud
    December 30, 2016

    These so called professionals are constantly opening their mouth to remove all doubts people might have. What is wrong with Dominica? OK, I take it to mean that these guys are of age and might not be interested in the future of Dominica. But do they not have children or grandchildren to protect a future for? Forget about Skerrit because he already secured a future for himself and Children abroad. But do these professionals think before they talk and fabricate stories? This guy I heard talking about short circuit cannot be well. But if that was the case, what was the rush about to have the place bulldoze so fast? Strangely enough, the fire occurred night of boxing day, Tuesday was a holiday and by early Tuesday place was already bulldoze, PM was there, PM was given green light to bulldoze, fire chief was out of state, deputy was able to conduct investigation and give green light within hours? Boy is this Hollywood? My Lord, my lord, my lord, deliver us from our avengers speedily!!

  21. legion
    December 30, 2016

    Lolololololololol, smh, smh smh. I feel f Dominica.

  22. KID ON THE BLOCK
    December 30, 2016

    They (UWPites) have so much things to say right now; They got so much things to say. As for d Matt, sometimes one wonders if he is for real! But you can’t blame one who sings for his supper.

    • For Real
      December 30, 2016

      You Blind or what? , This not about UWP. It is about the people who were used as sacrifices to accomplish some dirty agenda.

      Look beyond your political blindness

    • viewsexpressed
      December 30, 2016

      ,,,,and sir, sorry the Kid that you are on the Bloc, what have you said, what are you trying to say, what message are you sending? You seem to be blowing hot wind from the Silver Lake Fire. Blow and cool yourself down sir/madam.
      The UWP is a credible party and also decent and professional. the same cannot be said for Skerrit and his corrupt Labour Party government. They continue to hurt us Dominicans. Now Skerrit wife has been positioned to feed crying children, created by her husband, to eat pancake and other fast food unhealthy meals.

  23. committed
    December 30, 2016

    Go ahead Mr.Fire Chief and concort stories,there will be day when all of you mercenaries will want to talk the truth but will have no tongue to talk.
    What a country! Total waste.

    • stupes
      December 30, 2016

      So what should he say? That you burnt it down? You people always looking for the worst. So since you know very well the cause of fire, come forward and say.

    • ……………………that is an excuse to cover up the real cause. My late brother Almoore Robin (Inspector) served in the Royal Antigua Police Force, he was trained in Canada, and Britain in arson detection, and he would make that man talking such nonsense look like a pale dead horse where it pertains to fire investigation.

      My former wife Mother house burned to the ground in Antigua, nothing than ashes was left, it took my late brother almost a year to investigate what caused the fire. He eventually found the precise spot where the fire started, and concluded it was an act of arson. In the final analysis he found out that the lady had some mental issues, and decided to light a wood fire in a corner of her house to cook okay!

      He confirmed that by her own children who saw here tried that before, and stopped her. So for him to come with this crap, is simply saying let’s lie to the people, they do not know better, they will believe anything!

  24. MWEN
    December 30, 2016

    My cousin house burnt in New York over 9months ago.
    She thinks that it was a faulty Rice Cooker. Up till today the fire Marshall office can’t
    Give an official report. DA can you please send some of these brilliant investigators up there?

    • Visceraangel
      December 30, 2016

      Please..”May Have”. May have caused the fire is not what I consider a shut tight case, or, at the least just poor word choice on the part of the reporter.

    • Mosquito 1
      December 30, 2016

      Mwen, American fire investigators are useless 9months should be more than enough time to solve a house fire, in the UK fire investigators on a house fire would normally a full report next day.

      • No name
        December 30, 2016

        I don’t know where in the UK you live, but I live in the UK too and I never hear of a full report on a fire next day .

  25. Dominican Passports
    December 30, 2016

    Uwp people always making themselves look stupid with their crazy conspiracies… :arrow:

  26. James Christopher
    December 30, 2016

    So who is responsible for a short circuit?

    • The Darkness
      December 30, 2016

      The ones picking on the fire fighters as they attempted to out the situation…

    • You know people like to talk a lot of bull; not in your case. As you ask who is responsible for a short. Well that depends where it occurs, if it occurs in front of the services entrance breakers, or after it passes the breakers inside the house.

      Now I would hope that in Dominica, in modern days the Service Entrance Panels are equip with circuit backers, and there is a sub-panel inside the house, which the home owner can pull off the switches in the event they see or hear an electrical arch! If it is after the inside sub-panel, that is the responsibility of the home owner, if something such as an electrical surge which distributed an over load causing some sort of short circuit which would be highly unusual that would be the responsibility of the power company!

      There are many different reasons which could cause a short circuit, but I am not prepared to elaborate!

      • Dominican
        January 3, 2017

        You sure you know silverlake? Lololol! @service entrance breakers. The power maybe well stolen from the post

  27. Real Deal
    December 30, 2016

    Lmao this is too hilarious. Well done boys. D.A at its best once again

  28. Mother
    December 30, 2016

    Is that not the same place they call fly city where the police had a raid earlier this year and found drugs and ammunition and high powered firearms in a public toilet and the woman in charge of the development committee arrested? Why the rush to remove everything the same day of the fire? Is two wires they found burned and say is a short circuit that cause that fire? I don’t know, but I know that a leopard does not change its spots. Don’t put the same people back there in that same mess. Small children should not grow up in an environment like that please. Sorry to be suspicious and worried but the the way this is being handled leaves me troubled.

    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      December 30, 2016

      @ Mother, if you consider yourself as a true and concerned resposible mother and if you are concerned about the children you would see the need for the rush! Damn hyprocrite.

    • Anonymous
      December 30, 2016

      And they find no guns there, not even one bullet or an empty shell casing? No cash money got burned? More questions than answers deputy fire chief.We know you can not bite the hand that feeds you.

  29. Curious
    December 30, 2016

    Well well well, someone told you. I understand that asking is part of investigating but what if everyone in that particular home had died in the fire, would your team be able to determine the cause by themselves? Just asking.

  30. John Jay
    December 30, 2016

    What do you expect who is he and who place him t here, one of them again. Square pegs in wrong hole..

    • Corrector of Idiots
      December 30, 2016

      *round

    • Me
      January 2, 2017

      Big bellies, small brains.

  31. jobe
    December 30, 2016

    You investigated the caused of the fire but to follow protocol did you investigated if anyone had insurance or not. Did you even call in someone from the electrical department to verify your theory. It is so predictable that a speech like this was coming

    • Dominican
      December 30, 2016

      Insurance??? Is either you don’t know silverlake or you have no idea what insurance is

  32. %
    December 30, 2016

    We need professional,independent men/women to head ALL our institutions on island…Unfortunately ALL our institutions (no exception) are headed by puppets and stooges who help evil men to flourish in their wickedness!!

    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      December 30, 2016

      @ % What is preventing you from sending your application and resume to head one( if no all) the institution?(s). If you can’t, does that mean you are a puppet or stooge? You can’t do better but always there to criticized when your belly full.

      • Tjebe fort
        December 30, 2016

        Kid, use your head. Six years now since that fire at mr. &mrs. Emmanuel’s house and no report, no official cause of that fire even though someone confessed. Did mr. Skerrit send people to fix their house and pay them? you think they had a short circuit too? I think someone have a short circuit in their head my boy ore even a short fuse.

      • The Darkness
        December 30, 2016

        Did you actually read what % said?

        I agree with % on this note completely. The colors of red, blue, yellow and green make no sense for leadership in this country.

        – In parliament, they behave worse than animals.
        – When making decisions, they do not think of the land on a whole but their greedy pockets.
        – Neither side really ever cares… they tell us what they want us to believe they will do…
        – When last was it that you saw any of them in a public place, not putting on airs for public eyes…

        I believe the prefix “Honourable” is very much wasted on these demons in power and opposing.

        % is not saying that he/she can lead, but requesting proper leadership out of frustration.

        If you are so blind as to not see that we are being played on all sides, then you too are lost beyond words.

        I would pray for all your souls… but even that is a waste of time… your antennas would not pick up the reception… politics messing with you’all signals.

        I am not for any…

  33. Dominican
    December 30, 2016

    Next conspiracy theory, come on UWP we know you can do it

    • viewsexpressed
      December 30, 2016

      That’s what you are….why look elsewhere!!!!

  34. Rastasayrastaseemissionforselahsee
    December 30, 2016

    hmmmm all fire is not caused by electricals

  35. Da
    December 30, 2016

    A culprit is a person , not a thing or cause. So these officials are tying there own hands in this fire.

    ADMIN: (from Cambridge Dictionary) Culprit: a fact or situation that is the reason for something bad happening:
    Children in this country are getting much too fat, and sugar and sweets are the main culprits.

    • Me
      December 30, 2016

      Admin, on the other hand the Oxford dictionary says “person accused of or guilty of offence”. I would not want to be an arbiter of a dispute between these two learned institutions so let’s call it a draw and agree that a culprit can be either human, animal, a substantive object or even ethereal.

      • Me; Admin is so correct that they are over correct; you do not have a case eh> Hahahahahahahahahah!

        Let me show you how the New Oxford American Dictionary Third Edition defines the word even with an explanation. On page 421 of the dictionary: Oxford defines culprit as “a person who is responsible for a crime or other misdeed; the cause of a problem or defect: i.e., viruses could turn out to be the culprit.”

        Here is the Oxford explanation: The word originated in the late 17th century; originated in the formula Culprit, how will you be tried?, said by the clerk of the crown in England to a prisoner pleading not guilty: perhaps from misinterpretation of the written abbreviation cul. prist, for Anglo-Norman French Culpable: prest d’averrer notre bille (you are ) guilty: (We are) ready to prove our indictment’; in later use influenced by Latin culpa ‘fault, blame.’

        An individual human can be a culprit, as well as multiple people causing havoc are culprits too. If you step…

      • Finally:

        An individual human, dog or cat or any animal, insects, and rodents can be a culprit, as well as multiple people causing havoc are culprits too. If you step on a rock (stone) and fall the rock or stone is the culprit which caused you to fall

    • Visceraangel
      December 30, 2016

      Poor reporting…

    • Hahahahahahahaha! Thank you Admin!

  36. retarded
    December 30, 2016

    lol but,they began clearing up all the debris at once. how did u investigate the bare ground three days after? lol dominica sweet

  37. Moi
    December 30, 2016

    ???????????????????????????????????????????????

  38. papa
    December 30, 2016

    U all need to come to the state and work cause I never see an investigation that was carried out so fast smh hear say

  39. Wondering
    December 30, 2016

    Investigation? How you investigated when the debris was cleared in a day or so…sounds more like a he say she say…but anyway… All the best to the victims

  40. Massacre
    December 30, 2016

    This is utter nonsense and fabrication to cover up what really happened.
    The Fire Service has just lost the confidence I had in them.
    Where in the constitution a P.M can call the Deputy Chief directly and dictate to him as to how to go about with a fire investigation? No Law no Constitution will stop him eh!
    So much madness going on in the Land.
    I do not believe this results as far as I can spit against a hurricane.

    • Shameless
      December 30, 2016

      I wish I could shake your big toe bro. You are 1000000000% correct.
      Next time you see an ugly-good looking guy by seamoon wearing fake locks hit me up for a couple kubulis :mrgreen: :mrgreen: . You always seem to be on point Mr. Massacre!

      Always Assertive! :twisted:

    • Original Mahaut Man
      December 31, 2016

      Do you know what is the cause of the Fire?Stop politicizing every thing that’s why we in Dominica can’t think for ourselves and only repeat what we hear from someone else.

  41. Awa wii
    December 30, 2016

    :lol:
    I feel for the people of this country…

  42. Goodwill
    December 30, 2016

    Why is the Fire Service putting its reputation on the line for this Government? There were people in Silver Lake who admitted to leaving candles unattended ! I guess it must be an electrical candle!
    So people said it was Bousizie .
    How did the Fire Service figure this out so fast even after all the evidence was bulldozed so quickly.
    Someone is going to pay for that .

  43. defay
    December 30, 2016

    Me myself i not going there at all again to out no fire.Let them with their expert supporters out it.These people too ignorant papa.

  44. Pal_lotte
    December 30, 2016

    That’s cow dropping!

  45. Thrilller
    December 30, 2016

    8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O

  46. Nadine S
    December 30, 2016

    Oh really Deputy Fire Chief Farley Riviere?
    WOW!
    I am speechless indeed.
    Continue to fool the people.

  47. Looking in
    December 30, 2016

    Pure crap.
    What are you all trying to cover up?

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