Falmouth Harbour in Antigua was engulfed in a massive fire as Tropical Storm Phillipe swept across the islands early Tuesday morning. While some reports suggest that lightning may have triggered the fire, its exact cause is still under investigation. Fortunately, there have been no reported deaths or injuries at this point. Additionally, government authorities have reported widespread flooding on both islands.
Devin Joseph, the Yachting and Sailing Business Development Manager at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, emphasized the safety of the people as the top priority, saying, “First and foremost, the most important thing is that everyone is safe. No one has been hurt or injured.” However, he noted that a commercial building, housing various establishments such as the Dock Master’s Office, Cloggy’s restaurant, Turtle Surf Shop, Skulduggery bar and café, Ari fish shop, Dockside supermarket, Marina Gym, and Seabreeze bar and café, has been completely destroyed. This building also hosted a BWA Yachting office on the second floor and an Access Marine office on the ground floor, all of which supported the yachting industry for the marina.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but the strong winds generated by the storm caused the fire to spread throughout the marina, making it challenging for rescuers. An explosion resulting from a propane tank at one of the restaurants further fueled the fire.
Tropical Storm Phillipe also brought heavy rainfall to both Antigua and Barbuda, leading to flooding.
At 4 pm on Monday, both islands were under a tropical storm warning and a flash flood watch, and authorities had received numerous calls for assistance from low-lying areas in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Grays Farm, Point, and Cooks were the most affected areas, and security forces responded to distress calls.