The Saint Lucia Fire Service has firmly dismissed claims circulating online that the new Saint Jude Hospital has experienced a fire since becoming operational, stating that no such incident has ever been recorded.
The clarification comes amid growing public speculation about the hospital, prompting the Fire Service to reassure the public that its official records confirm no unwanted fire has occurred at the facility.
“The Saint Lucia Fire Service has become aware of public statements and discussions alleging that the new Saint Jude Hospital has experienced a fire incident since becoming operational,” Assistant Divisional Officer Owen Cazaubon said.
“In the interest of providing accurate and factual information to the public, the Fire Service wishes to clarify that, based on its official operational records, there are no reports of any unwanted fire occurring at the new Saint Jude Hospital since its opening.”
Cazaubon said additional inquiries by the department also confirmed that no fire had taken place at the hospital.
The Fire Service also addressed what it described as a common misconception about fire safety certification, stressing that a fire safety certificate does not guarantee a building will never experience a fire.
“A fire safety certificate is not an assurance against the ignition of a fire,” Cazaubon explained. “Rather, it confirms that, at the time of inspection, the building complied with the applicable fire and life safety requirements prescribed by law.”
To illustrate the point, he referenced the February 2025 fire at London’s historic Chiltern Firehouse, noting that despite meeting modern fire safety standards, an unexpected fire still occurred. He said the effectiveness of a fire safety system is measured by its ability to protect lives through safe evacuation and properly functioning emergency systems—not by eliminating every possible fire risk.
Cazaubon reaffirmed that the Fire Service’s statutory responsibility is to inspect buildings for compliance with fire and life safety requirements, ensure adequate fire protection systems and escape routes are in place, and promote fire safety training to improve emergency preparedness.
He stressed that public safety remains the department’s overriding priority and said its work is carried out impartially and in accordance with the law.
The Fire Service is urging the public to rely on verified information from official sources and to refrain from sharing unsubstantiated claims that can cause unnecessary public alarm, particularly regarding critical healthcare infrastructure.
