A leading business entity of longstanding is counting its losses following a fire which engulfed one of the buildings

Fire truck at scene

ZIZ News…June 29, 2010 – A leading corporate entity S.L. Horsford and Company Limited has received a set back in its business operations located on South Independence Square Street when the building housing the Credit Department went up in flames last night.

The Fire and Rescue Service responded to the call just around ten o’clock and began the task by extinguishing the flames which sent a large plume of smoke into the air.

Several appliances were called to the scene as the fire threatened the neighbouring buildings which are also owned by the company.

A section of the roof of the mostly wooden structure caved in as the men battled the fire.

The electricity in Basseterre was also affected for a short time as the Fire and Rescue Services worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire. It took them some time before the fire was brought under control.

A huge crowd of persons gathered in the nearby Independence Square as the news spread that one of the leading business houses in Basseterre was on fire.

It is not known what caused the fire. Investigations are ongoing.

Vehicle of the Electricity Department assist	View of the building from an angle