Rio Claro Fire Station Closes After Inspectors Find Serious Safety Hazards

Fire officers from the evacuated Rio Claro Fire Station have been temporarily moved to Mayaro, which Acting Chief Fire Officer Ansar Ali says will add about eight minutes to emergency response times in Rio Claro. Officials are now seeking a longer-term site in the community, as the century-old station has been deemed structurally unsafe and should be demolished and rebuilt.

Firefighters have closed and abandoned the Rio Claro Fire Station after months of warnings about more than 20 safety violations, a floor collapse injury, and claims the building is structurally unsafe. The Fire Service says a temporary location is being considered and Mayaro will cover emergencies, but residents fear slower response times could put the town at risk.