No foul play in LIAT fire

LIAT reveals preliminary investigators’ findings into hangar fire.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Thursday June 28, 2012 – Arson has been ruled out as the cause of the June 10 fire that destroyed one of the LIAT’s two hangars, an aircraft and two office buildings.

This was revealed in a media release issued yesterday (June 27) by the regional airline as it updated the public on the findings of investigators into the extensive fire at its hangar at the VC Bird International Airport in Antigua.

However, while there was no evidence of a deliberate attempt to start the fire, the actual cause of the blaze has not been identified and LIAT management has stated that the investigation is ongoing.

The investigative team comprised seven officers from the Antigua and Barbuda Police Force and Fire Service along with the two Forensic Investigators from the Royal Barbados Police Force.

“LIAT sincerely thanks the authorities for their dedication and hard work and we are pleased with the findings of the investigation,” Chief Executive Officer Brian Challenger said in the release.

“I would like to add my gratitude to the Government of Barbados in general and the two-member team from the Barbados Police Force in particular who assisted with the investigation” he added.

Challenger also thanked the members of LIAT’s internal security team as well as employees from other departments throughout the company “who have worked tirelessly since the incident to get us to this stage.”

The site of the fire remains secure and restricted as issues of safety remained paramount stated the airline. The release also indicated that the restrictions would remain in place whilst the company endeavoured to fully recover its insured losses. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)