Minority Leader Ashworth Jack, who was also on the scene, said proper equipment, was needed for fire officials in Tobago. *Photo credit: fieldgulls.com

SCARBOROUGH, Tobago, CMC – At least 95 people have been made jobless after a fire swept through a mini-mall here on Christmas Day.

The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined, but preliminary investigations suggest that the fire started on the top floor and spread through the mall destroying or severely damaging a number of buildings.

“From the time I heard the phone rang at that hour I say is something big, and you know with all my years’ experience, I know it ain’t no thief Christmas morning. We will bounce back, and as early as Monday morning I would be opening for business at Canaan,” said Dale Phillips, who was among tenants affected by the fire.

Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Orville London said while the matter was a sensitive one, political mileage should not be grasped.

Minority Leader Ashworth Jack, who was also on the scene, said proper equipment, was needed for fire officials in Tobago.

“I have also observed, we seem to have a water problem, and we seem to have an equipment problem with the Fire Service,” he told reporters.