Handyman burnt to death

A HANDYMAN of Acono Village, Maracas/ St Joseph yesterday became the nation’s latest fire victim. Ryan Lamont, 26, was found  to death, yesterday morning  with his right foot and left wrist burnt off at a fire at the No 11 Third Street, East Dinsley Gardens home of Cpl Robert Taylor, a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. According to investigations around 4.30 am, a neighbour to the east of the house saw smoke emanating from under the front door and made an alarm. Immediately the said neighbour, along with a neighbour to the north and one to the west swung into action and started dousing the house with water from their water-hose. Officers from the Arima Fire Services who were contacted arrived a short time after to find the house totally engulfed in flames. They were able to put out the blaze, and when searching the ruins of the completely destroyed house they found the body of Lamont lying close to the front door. Investigations revealed that Lamont who has a key and sometimes stayed over at his best friend’s home, went to a party at Arima the night before and had stayed over on the request of Cpl Taylor who had promised they were going to the beach later yesterday.

Investigations revealed that shock Cpl Lamont who received information of the fire while awaiting his release at Teteron Barracks yesterday morning could not contain himself when he arrived on the scene and learnt of the death of his best friend. He left the scene and returned four more times expressing himself the same way. His colleagues who also visited the scene had to debar him from visiting for the rest of the day. When Newsday visited the Acono Village, Maracas/St Joseph home of Lamont no one was available for comment. A traumatised Cpl Taylor was not available to talk. A friend however described the two as best friends, and Lamont as a quiet man who never thought  it too much to assist anyone. Also staying at the house was Angie Taylor, sister of the soldier who was also out at the time the fire took place. When contacted fire prevention officers said they were yet to determine the cause of  the fire. An autopsy is carded for today. Arouca police are continuing inquiries.