STATEMENT FROM DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF MATTHEW PROSPER
ROSEAU, DOMINICA, March 2, 2026-The Dominica Fire and Ambulance Services Division can report that on Sunday, 1st March, 2026, at approximately 11:55 pm, the Roseau Fire station was informed of a structural Fire at the junction of Old Street and King George V Street, near the Old Market Square.
Upon arrival on the scene, a conflagration was observed which involved various buildings in the vicinity of the Jolly’s Pharmacy. Initial fire suppression was hindered by energized fallen electrical lines, which were later de-energized by Domlec.
Fire Fighting included a start-up crew of nine (9) Fire Officers who were later joined by crews from Grandbay and St. Joseph Fire Stations and off-duty staff. A total of thirty (30) Fire Officer involved in the firefighting.
Seven buildings sustained significant damage, and three sustained minor damage:
- The building belonging to Singoalla Blomqvist-Williams, located on the corner of Old Street and Church Lane; northern side of the building sustained damage to the roof and siding.
- A commercial building owned by Conrad McIntyre, which housed the Oasis of Elegance; complete damage of first and second floors, with the roof caving in.
- The craft shop owned by Conroy Allen; the roof caved in, and the building was destroyed.
- The building owned by Colbert Cue, which housed CG United/Domlec, sustained scorching damage to the Northern side of the building.
- A commercial building owned by Ken Robinson, which housed Craving Restaurant, operated by tenant Louvain Prosper, was completely destroyed
- Jolly’s Pharmacy buildings, which housed the business offices and the Gym severely destroyed by fire, while the pharmacy sustained water damage.
- Z-one store owned by tenant Weimin Gu; this building was completely destroyed.
- The building, which housed One Pot restaurant and bar, sustained scorching and minor fire damage.
- The building which houses Ruins bar, located at the corner of Old Street and King George v street sustain scorching
- Raffoul building, location of Patty’s Shack, sustained scorching to the southern side of the first and second floors
One vehicle, a Toyota Rav, belonging to the proprietor of one of the affected business places, was also destroyed by the blazes.
The Dominica Fire and Ambulance Services and the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force are investigating the cause.
The Dominica Fire Services wishes the best regards to all those who were affected by the blaze and wishes the business owners well in their recovery.
We would like to thank all Fire Officers and Police Officers for their great support and all others who volunteered their assistance during the incident, and we also like to thank the general public for their cooperation.
Meantime, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has publicly expressed his support and concern following the major fire that erupted early Monday morning in Roseau.
In an interview with the media, he extended his sympathies to the many businesses and individuals affected by the blaze, acknowledging the distress it caused.
He labeled the fire “regrettable,” saying, “I can only imagine the anxiety of the many business people and one church was impacted, and the property owners. But thankfully, there were no reported fatalities associated with the fire.”
He stated that the scale of the blaze was “significant,” and expressed gratitude that there have been “no reports of anyone losing their life in the fire.”
He also stated that the strong morning winds made the situation even more challenging for the fire services.
“I was praying for heavier rain to help contain the flames…I also need to commend the fire crews for working heroically to combat the fire,” he said. He also assured the public that authorities will continue to look into what caused the fire.
