Several dozen motorcycles, seven Tap-taps, two buses providing transportation Bon-Repos / Downtown and two trucks, went up in smoke during the fire that broke out in the gas pump DNL located at the corner of National Roads #1 and # 3 in the commune of Croix-des-Bouquets this Wednesday, August 24, 2022. For now, no loss of life has been reported. Thanks to the intervention of citizens in the area, the victims were rushed to the hospital before the arrival of the ambulance service. The worst was therefore avoided.
According to the testimony of a local resident, the illegal dealers of fuel near the pump would be the basis of the disaster. Zoom Haiti News is not able to confirm this information.
In the meantime, the victims, especially those who have lost their vehicles, demand to be compensated by the owner of the gas station, who is also a victim.
The sale of petroleum products in the streets is becoming commonplace since the serial episodes of fuel scarcity in the country. This, despite the imminent danger that this causes. Many human lives have already been lost in several cities in the country because of this illegal and dangerous practice. In some jurisdictions, some government commissioners have tried unsuccessfully to stop this phenomenon. This is a lucrative practice for the dealers who sometimes receive a profit of more than 200% and the pump attendants who are accomplices of these dealers and who take advantage of this to supplement their monthly salaries.
Every time there is a fire caused by the storage or the illegal sale of fuel, the authorities take drastic measures against those who do not comply. The Port-au-Prince government commissioner warns to seize the petroleum products stored or exposed on the sidewalks and to arrest the culprits. Without any follow-up however. The communication campaign is preferably in full swing through the media and social networks. The illegal sale of petroleum products does not stop and continues for the most beautiful on the sidewalks and the merchants are not even worried.
Some neighborhoods are even known for the availability of fuel at all hours. As is the case of Delmas 34, Carrefour Saint-Marc, where the fire broke out this Wednesday morning.
A situation that questions some citizens. They wonder about the real authority of the State.