UBP calls for restrictions on Paget condos

Shadow Minister of Housing Kim Swan has called for restrictive covenants to be put on condos planned on the Loughlands site in Paget. Sen. Swan said his party backed the plan to build homes at between $450,000 to $500,000 for first-time buyers.

He said: ?We appreciate the plan is not quite ready for public consumption as the final details are being worked out to secure the necessary approvals.

?However, we believe the PLP Government must identify the qualifications that Bermudians will be required to meet (in order) to become an owner. In addition, we feel it necessary to issue restrictive covenants as a condition of purchase.?

The covenants would help ensure the resale value of the property would suit future, first time homeowners.

Other covenants suggested by the United Bermuda Party include a no renting policy and a minimum ownership period.

Fairylands home damaged in fire

A fire started in the basement of a Fairylands residence shortly after 6 p.m. on Sunday. Family members discovered the fire and called the Bermuda Fire Service.

No one was hurt during the incident and firefighters contained and extinguished the blaze. It appears that the cause of the fire was an electrical malfunction in a circuit breaker.

Firefighters used breathing equipment while in the home. The blaze was extinguished by a combination of chemical powder and water. The house sustained smoke damage to the upper two floors and minor damage. A fire official said he would classify the fire as small.

Family members waited outside while the fire department finished their initial inspections. They were then allowed in to gather clothes before leaving the premises.

An investigation into the origins of the fire is underway.

Cologne helped man?s pants catch on fire

Police have ruled out foul play regarding a man who was found on fire Monday evening on Union Street. Officers responded to reports that a man was on fire near the Bermuda Industrial Union, a member of the public doused the flames before Police arrived.

It appears that the 65-year-old Southampton man had men?s cologne and matches in his possession. Somehow the two combined and the cologne acted as an accelerant .

On Tuesday, the man remained in stable condition at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. He suffered second degree burns to his back and buttocks.

Bondarenkos spotted in Tortola

The Russian sailing family the Bondarenkos have been reported safe and well on the British Virgin Islands? Tortola island.

The family-of-four spent seven months in Bermuda from last July while awaiting clearance to settle in Canada. They were given extended leave to remain moored in St. George?s harbour during the prolonged hurricane season and then had their stay further extended into the new year before finally setting sail in the second week in January for the Caribbean.

It was their hope that they could sail their 37-foot yacht direct to their new home in Nova Scotia, but the winter weather would have made a northerly passage extremely dangerous and so they decided to sail south instead to see out the remainder of the winter in the Caribbean.

Former St. George?s Mayor E. Michael Jones said he had received a report that the family has been seen on Tortola Island in the past few weeks.