BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 1st November 2019)-Steve Wrensford, the opposition St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party’s (SKNLP) candidate for Constituency Four, has informed that fire starting liquid has been found on areas of his constituency office in Old Road in the aftermath of an early morning fire which resulted in damages to the building this week.
“The police have finalised their report; It was arson for sure. There were areas of the building where flammable liquid was on to light so they (the arsonists) really intended to burn it down flat,” he shared during an interview when contacted.
Police say the fire report was received close to 5 a.m. on Monday 28th October 2019 and it was immediately responded to.
Reportedly, officers from the Sandy Point Fire and Rescue Services extinguished the fire which revealed that the main interior office was extensively damaged.
The SKNLP in an official statement issued on the day in question expressed in part: “The leadership of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party strongly suspects that this is a malicious and cowardly act of arson that may have been perpetrated by those who desire to use such tactics to intimidate and subdue in advance of the upcoming general elections. The site has been assessed by the Arson Unit of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, and we await a comprehensive report from the Fire Department and the police.”
Asked how soon the office is expected back in operation, Wrensford, who says “I am not intimidated by such actions and remain resolute in my commitment to serve the people of Constituency Number Four”, replied: “We are trying to get the one that was burnt up and running shortly, maybe in the next two months.”
As for now, according to him, others options are being looked at for the time being.
“Old Road is the central area of the constituency and where is more convenient …so we’re looking to see if we can find somewhere that is almost similar to what we have in Old Road.”
Wrensford is asking his fellow constituents and supporters overall “not to be daunted because we are doing something good and there is hope that at the end of it, we are going to be in government.”
He disclosed that he had been conducting one on one consultations at the Constituency Four Office which is located on Main Street noting that “the office was opened practically every day.”
Wrensford added: “People were coming in because they feel that between four walls, they are safer than out in the open. People who support the government came and people who support me came. I think the message that we have been sending throughout the constituency is that this is not going to be the same type of representation that we have seen over the last few years and that there is a need for people to start looking towards their future, their empowerment and something that can develop where they have opportunities. So the message is a different one…it is a matter of giving people hope.”
He was officially introduced as one of the newest SKNLP candidate in September 2018.
Minister of Tourism Lindsay Grant of the People’s Action Movement (PAM) for Constituency Four issued a statement via his social media Facebook page on Monday 28th October 2019 at 9:48 AM saying: “I awoke this morning to the unfortunate news that the Office of my political opponent was partly destroyed as a result of a fire. I am pleased there are no official reports that indicate a loss of life or physical injury. I would like to express my concern to Mr Steve Wrensford, his team and the property owner. I implore all to provide any level of support whether spiritual, moral or otherwise to Mr Wrensford, his team and the property owner. These situations are never easy. I wish them God’s blessings as they move forward.”
Police are asking anyone who has information about this incident, are to contact the Old Road Police Station at 465-6250, your nearest police station or the crime hotline at 707.