There has been yet another explosion in downtown Port of Spain yesterday morning around 9:45 a.m.
By Ucill CambridgeThe police may have a possible suspect, if the photographer who claims to have caught the perpetrator on camera leaving the scene of the crime hands over the evidence to the police.
Nobody was injured and no property destroyed in the explosion which occurred outside a building that formerly housed the Spektakula Forum on Henry Street.
Police Commissioner Trevor Paul said in a statement that "around 9.45 a.m. yesterday there was a loud explosion on Henry Street, Port of Spain, in the vicinity of Roytec.
"Preliminary enquiries revealed that a plastic bottle containing a substance exploded on the pavement in front of the site of the (former) Spektakula Forum building.
"There was no injury to persons nor damage to property. Efforts are being made to determine the contents of the bottle."
The Commissioner said forensic officers were on the scene and further information would be released as soon as it was available.
The bottle was said to have contained a soapy, powdery substance.
Yesterday's explosion, the fifth in four months-the others being at Frederick Street, George Street, KFC Independence Square and St James- failed to cause the level of panic and unease as the other four, either on the part of the police or the public.
Where the explosion occurred was cordoned off by "Do Not Cross" tape strung out by the police and surrounded the Roytec building, the Ministry of Finance Valuation Division, the Office of the Ombudsman and Kavemar Pub.
There was no evacuation of any of the buildings, whose occupants simply came out into the doorways to view the proceedings.
A senior officer attached to the bomb squad said yesterday's event was different to the others.
"It was not similar to those devices which exploded previously," he said.
And not only in terms of the device itself, but the modus operandi was also different.
The intent, he said, was different. "There was no intent to cause injury or damage."
And a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigations arrived on the scene to work along with the local investigators although, according to another police source, the expertise of the foreign investigator may not be needed to solve this one.
The officer said a photographer attached to a media house claims he saw the person place the bottle at the scene and photographed him as he was walking away.
The Daily Express contacted the head of the special team set up to investigate the bombings, Supt Errol Dillon and asked about the alleged evidence.
Dillon confirmed that he received information about the existence of a photograph of a possible suspect "but the police has no photo", he said.
Deputy Police Commissioner Glen Roach visited the scene and gave the assurance that all leads were being followed to catch the bomber.
"We are following every possible lead," he said.
Roach also appealed to the public for assistance in catching anyone responsible for the bombings.
He appealed to the public to be vigilant saying, "we are in this together".
