On the evening of Friday, March 6, 2026, the Saint Lucia Fire Service (SLFS) responded to a high-priority distress call involving a structural fire at the Computer World Building in Marisule, Gros Islet.
The Saint Lucia Fire Service (SLFS), in a statement on March 7th, reported that units from the Gros Islet Fire Station were immediately dispatched, with additional assistance provided by crews from the Babonneau Fire Station, George Charles Fire Hall, and Fire Service Headquarters.
According to the SLFS, “Firefighting efforts were complicated by restricted access to the building and the presence of hazardous materials, including chemical storage and energy storage equipment and batteries. Due to the rapid spread of the fire, crews initiated a multi-point attack to bring the blaze under control.”
By late Saturday, March 7th, the fire had been contained. However, the building has sustained extensive damage.
The building housed the Environmental Health Division of the Ministry of Health, the northern branch of the New India Insurance Company, tech store, and Computer World, among other businesses.
In a recorded statement released on March 7th, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sharon Belmar-Geroge, expressed the Ministry’s sadness at the turn of events and requested the public remain patient as the Ministry seeks to continue providing services.
“We are completely heartbroken by this unfortunate event, and we shame the pain and devastation felt by everyone affected by this incident,” she said.
“The Environmental Health Division provides critical health services including food safety monitoring, environmental inspections, sanitation oversight, and public health surveillance. As a result of this incident, normal operations at this location have been disrupted. The Ministry is currently conducting an assessment of the damage and working to activate a plan to ensure the continuity of services.”