It sounds ironic, but unfortunately it’s true. The victims of the large fire that started at Witec-El Louvre and ended at Antraco are still fighting in court for their compensation. The one accuses the other of starting the fire that left behind a huge debt, as well as emotional damage with one woman even losing her pregnancy. All this originated with an accidental fire caused by a forklift error in the Witec warehouse.
It was Monday the 19th of May 2012, exactly ten years ago, at around 3:00 pm when the alarms were sounded for a fire in the warehouse located on Arendstraat. The fire grew so rapidly, spreading from building to building, and even left burn marks in the walls of Oranjestad Laundry. A part of the warehouse and the majority of Antraco bookshop were completely burned.
For now it has been determined that the fire started in the Witec warehouse, het Antraco wants them to cover the losses they suffered due to this fire, which severely affected their business. “It was a difficult day for us”, said Robert Croes II, the director of Antraco. For the complete story, read Monday’s edition of TREMPAN.
