The Minister of National Security commended the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service yesterday for their quick response to a fire at the Government Administration Building.

Emergency services responded to the fire on the building’s roof, which led to Parliament Street being closed to traffic between Reid Street and Church Street, at around 5.15pm.

Senator Jeff Baron, who was on the scene, said the matter was handled with “extreme professionalism”, including the evacuation of Civil Service personnel and members of the public who were inside the building.

Mr Baron “was gratified to learn that there were no injuries or major infrastructure damage”, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of National Security stated. She added that Mr Baron was expected to provide a full briefing on the matter from the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service in due course.

According to BFRS staff officer Delton White, four personnel responded to the incident.

“Lieutenant A. Jay Donawa, stated that on his arrival he made his way to the roof of the building to find a pallet of items wrapped in cellophane and cardboard on fire, being attended to by construction workers onsite with a water hose.

“The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service personnel then quickly extinguished the remainder of the fire before it could spread any further.”