(CNN) — A wildfire raging in Quito has forced residents to flee their homes and Ecuador’s president to make an emergency return from abroad, as heavy smoke spreads across whole neighbourhoods of the capital city. “I had two refrigerators, stoves, gas tanks, beds, dining tables, everything. As you can see, it’s all on fire … It’s terrible,” said Maria Sarango, who lost her home and all her possessions to the fire in Quito. “We didn’t expect that. My mom is elderly. She’s 95 years old … The police came to take her out because she can’t walk,” she told CNN, standing in front of the charred remnants of her house on a hillside. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa cancelled his visit to the United Nations in New York this week, where he was set to address the General Assembly, saying Tuesday night that he would return home to lead government response efforts. Over 200 firefighters with 65 vehicles are trying to put out the fires, supported by at least 30 water tankers, Quito Mayor Pabel Muñoz said. Schools were closed on Wednesday, Muñoz added, urging citizens to stay indoors to avoid health problems from the poor air quality. “I left last night, at 9 p.m. I left because I was already suffocating, and it was affecting my eyes, so I left with my husband and we went another way and I came back this morning,” said a Quito resident named Margarita, who also evacuated. Authorities suspect the fire was started intentionally and are investigating the situation as a “criminal and terrorist” act, according to the mayor. “After the scourges that occurred yesterday in different places in the city, the Ecuadorian police are carrying out investigations to locate and capture those responsible for these events. We will not rest until we locate the people who put the safety of citizens at risk and damage the fauna and flora of our city,” the National Police said Wednesday as they called for citizens to provide information. The out-of-control fire has come as Ecuador faces severe drought, causing authorities to impose scheduled power cuts in parts of the country. A helicopter sprays water over a bushfire on a hill in Quito on September 25. (Photo: Galo Paguay/AFP/Getty Images)

The CARICOM Secretariat has met with officials from Barbados to discuss preliminary plans for the Caribbean Festival of Arts or CARIFESTA, set for August 2025. The virtual meeting was attended by CARICOM’s Director of Human and Social Development and Programme Manager for Culture, along with the Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation, Carol Roberts among other officials. Stakeholders discussed the thematic focus, the launch of the festival and the signing of the host country agreement. Establishing a host country management committee and regional technical support team were also critical aspects of the discussion. The last CARIFESTA was held in Trinidad and Tobago in 2019.

Barbados Royals missed the opportunity to move into second place of the Republic Bank CPL last night when they lost to hosts Guyana Amazon Warriors at Providence. Opting to field first, the Royals were put to the sword, as the Warriors posted an impressive 219 for 8. Player of the Match Shai Hope top scored with 71 that included 5-fours and 5-sixes, while Shimron Hetmyer added 57 those two put on 106 for the third-wicket partnership. Maheesh Theekshana was the only bowler who avoided the onslaught, as he took 3 for 15. Royals were never in it after that, as in their reply, they were restricted to 172 for 9 to lose by 47 runs. David Miller top scored with 71 not out with 8 fours and 5 sixes, while the Royals’ leading run scorer, Quinton de Kock, only got 35 this time around. Gudakesh Motie took 3 for 42. With their third consecutive defeat, the Royals can no longer head into the playoffs in first place, as with one preliminary match remaining for them, they’re on 10 points in third place, while leaders St. Lucia Kings have 14. The Warriors are in second place on 12. Today’s an off-day in the CPL, as the Royals travel to Trinidad to take on hosts Knight Riders in their final prelim tomorrow. That game is at the new time of 8 p.m., so it’ll be live on CBC TV8 as well as on MCTV’s Sportsmax channel 310. (Photo by Randy Brooks/CPL T20 via Getty Images)