NASSAU, BAHAMAS- The fire that tore through Arawak Cay on Sunday, destroying the popular Goldie’s Conch House and nearby stalls, has renewed concerns over what Bahamian Contractors Association (BCA) president Leonard Sands described as blatant building-code violations and ongoing safety issues at the Fish Fry.
Sands who took to social media as the incident unfolded said the situation highlights how the area’s growth from informal shacks into full-scale restaurants has outpaced enforcement of building codes. “The fire that is currently active at Arawak Cay underscores the point that we should never measure progress through the lens of political leadership,” he said. “More than 25 years of continued expansion of the original shacks proliferated into restaurants serving thousands of Bahamians and visitors alike. It evolved into a world-famous attraction for many and we all love it.”
He also noted widespread noncompliance with critical safety regulations. “A shack serving beverages and food does not require a fire suppression system. However, a restaurant serving over 50 guests at a sitting by code must have an active fire suppression system installed and inspected to obtain a valid license to operate that establishment,” Sands said. He emphasized that these gaps in compliance are common across the Fish Fry.
“The blatant violation of the Bahamas Building Code and the abuse and/or negligence of officials responsible for managing code enforcement is appalling. There are glaring violations that we simply do not care about until an event like this occurs,” he said. Sands added that if proper fire suppression systems had been in place, this would likely not have been the last fire. “Fires have occurred at other establishments, but entire buildings have not burned to the ground because there were fire suppression systems in place. We need to learn from these events and make the proper response—bring things to code, not just build bigger and better,” he said.
Sands also highlighted issues with emergency access. “Codes call for proper entry and exit points. Many stalls do not meet these requirements, creating unnecessary risk for staff and patrons,” he said. He questioned how establishments were permitted to operate without proper oversight. “The risk to public safety is simply not taken seriously by the officials responsible. They have a duty to ensure that code compliance is mandatory. Clearly, they are not doing that job.”
While expressing sympathy for the business owners affected, Sands stressed the importance of enforcing safety standards. “While I am saddened by the business owners’ loss of asset and related employee impact, I wonder when will we live in a country where simple things can be managed properly to the benefit and protection of all Bahamians,” he said.
Police reported that the fire erupted shortly before 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Three Fire Services engines responded to the scene and brought the blaze under control, though some smoldering areas required continued monitoring. Authorities confirmed that six stalls were destroyed and two others were extensively damaged. A police officer responding to the incident sustained first-degree burns and was transported to hospital. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Goldie’s Conch House, one of the businesses hardest hit, confirmed that its building was completely destroyed and that neighboring restaurants were also damaged. In a statement, the Goldies Conch House Family said they were “devastated by the loss,” but grateful that no lives were lost. They extended sympathy to other affected business owners and thanked firefighters, emergency personnel, and the wider community for their support. Despite the setback, they said they are “choosing hope and resilience” and emphasized that “this is not the end for Goldie’s Conch House,” pledging to rebuild and promising to provide updates as restoration efforts proceed.
