Late Monday there was still no word on what caused a damaging fire at the V.I. Water and Power Authority’s St. Thomas business office in Sub Base Sunday night, and the authority was working to mitigate inconvenience to its customers.
In a statement released at the end of the day, WAPA said the cause of the fire is still under investigation and the V.I. Fire Services has not yet allowed access to the building.
The blaze broke out in the southern wing of the building, causing extensive damage to the budget and audit office on the third floor, resulting in extensive water damage, and leaving the building without power. It was detected by an alarm system around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
WAPA has postponed the return of its St. Thomas office employees until 10 a.m. Wednesday, and instructed them to gather at the tennis court adjacent to the business office.
Meter readers should report to work Tuesday morning at their regularly scheduled time.
Customer Services personnel will be contacted directly by the manager for reporting schedules over the next several days.
Until cashier windows reopen, WAPA is reminding customers that payments can be made at most St. Thomas banks and by mail. Online payments can be made at www.viwapa.vi
In order to facilitate payments by customers with overdue bills, First Bank St. Thomas will accept customer payments accompanied by the late notice (pink slip) until March 16; Banco Popular-St. Thomas will accept payments with the late notice slip until further notice.
Customers needing more information should call 774-1424 or 773-2250.
WAPA will update information as it becomes available.
