Petrotrin fumes force bank branches to close

Fumes from the nearby Petrotrin oil refinery prompted the closure of several businesses, including two banks, at Tropical Plaza, Pointe-a-Pierre, yesterday. David Coker, Petrotrin senior corporate communications officer, in a telephone interview with the T&T Guardian yesterday, confirmed that “gaseous” emissions affected several businesses at the shopping plaza located opposite Petrotrin’s Sports Club, Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre. Yesterday when the T&T Guardian visited the plaza signs were posted outside RBC Bank and Republic Bank Ltd advising customers of their closure “due to chemical fumes.” However, ABT Engineers and Constructors Ltd, another business located in the plaza, and Subway Restaurant, remained open. A RBC official, who only identified himself as the branch’s head of security, said when workers turned up for duty they were greeted by a strong scent inside the building. By 10 am Petrotrin indicated the banks were cleared for resumption of work.