Tristan : Up-date on Factory Fire - Friday 15th
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 15.02.2008 (Article Archived on 29.02.2008)

Things are getting back to some normality after the Fish Factory was destroyed in the early hours of the morning on the 13th February.

Photos (c) James Glass A view of the fire as it finished off the factory and the removal of tainted lobster-tail from the collapsed freezer.

The factory fire as it burnt itself out

Up-date on Factory Fire - Friday 15^th

Things are getting back to some normality after the Fish Factory was destroyed in the early hours of the morning on the 13^th February.  A standby generator has been installed and the islanders have electricity from 7:30 – 15:00, then shutdown, and again from 19:00 – 23:00hrs.  This will enable the islanders to keep their frozen until another generator can be purchase and shipped to the island.  The last two buildings the Radio Station and the Agriculture & Natural Resources Department building (Conservation Office) have just been connect with electricity, making all Government Department buildings back in operation.

The Factory was out of bounds to everyone, but conformation has been received from the owners to remove the approximately 10mt of whole and tail Lobster from the collapse freezer, before it becomes a health issue, this is being cleared away and buried today.

The MV Edinburgh departed Tristan yesterday after embarking cargo, passengers and four bags of GPO mail.  The intention is that she will make a quick turn around in Cape Town, and bring back necessary equipment and expertise to access the damage and plan the way forward for rebuilding.

Sarah Glass