Anthony Astaphan defends PM Skerrit clearing site of Silver Lake fire before investigation completed

Attorney Anthony Astaphan is attempting to defend Prime Minister Skerrit’s clearing the site of the Silver Lake fire, before investigation arecompleted.
 
Clearance of the site started just hours after the massive ‘Boxing Day’ fire, which left some 60 people homeless. Many Dominicans at home and abroad, took to the airwaves and the internet to voice their concerns, that the clearance of the site would compromise ongoing investigation by the police and fire officials, into the cause of the fire.
 
Astaphan however claims that the Prime Minister got the green light to clear the site within hours of the incident, from those who are in charge of the investigation.
 
According to Astaphan, this whole issue has to do with members of the opposition United Workers Party, who did not expect a prompt response from government on the fire.
 
He remarked, “another lie” and “another smoke screen” is being hatched by the UWP without specific details. He said “I can tell you for a fact the Prime Minister spoke to the Deputy Fire Commissioner and the Inspector in charge of CID, who gave the green light to clear the scene”.

​All reports indicate that Roseau South MP Joshua Francis and Opposition Leader Lennox Linton, were the first MP’s to be on the scene of the fire, and who engaged with the affected residents of Silver Lake.