150,000 gallons of rum goes up in flames in Barbados

Firemen using the combination platform ladder to spray foam in the burning tank at Mount Gay Rum Distillery yesterday. (Picture by Ricardo Leacock.)

(Barbados Nation) ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND gallons of alcohol went up in flames yesterday at the Mount Gay Rum Distillery in St Lucy.

The smell of the world-renowned and award-winning Mount Gay rum filled the air, but it was not an occasion for celebration. Instead, fire officers worked to bring the blaze in the 300 000-gallon tank, which was half full, under control.

The 26 officers, from the Bridgetown and Arch Hall stations, responded at 2:18 p.m.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Henderson Patrick told the media they were working to ensure the flames remained under control.

“The roof of the tank has been ruptured, allowing the flame that is burning the alcohol to escape. What we are currently engaged in is ensuring that we apply alcohol-resistant foam to the situation.