Retired policeman dies in PoS fire

He was burnt beyond recognition after being trapped in his bedroom where firemen discovered his charred remains.

Fire prevention officers were called to the scene after the blaze was brought under control and residents living in the vicinity of Christopher Warner’s apartment were interviewed.

A party of officers from the Port-of-Spain CID led by ASP Ajith Persad, and Inspector Harvey Jawahir also visited the scene and interviewed persons.

Yesterday, some of the apartments close to the fire remained water soaked from the efforts of the fire officers to control the blaze.

Angela Edwards, Warner’s caregiver who was in her apartment a short distance away, was preparing coffee and breakfast to take to him when she heard persons shouting that the apartment was on fire.

Edwards told Newsday she looked out and saw Warner’s apartment ablaze but there was nothing she could do to assist because of the intensity of the blaze. She also told Newsday that ten years ago she took a decision to assist Warner and an elderly female companion who lived in the apartment close to hers.

She said that one year ago, Warner’s companion died and he became very lonely and only got up from his bed to go to the bathroom.

She said that she provided meals and ensured that he was all right from the goodness of her heart.

Edwards related, “On Tuesday night between 9 and 10 pm, I checked in on Warner and asked him if he needed anything, but he said no and I retired to my apartment.” According to Edwards, she has no idea how the fire started but as far as she is aware there were no threats on Warner’s life.

She said that Warner will be missed and added that his only child, a daughter visited the scene of the blaze yesterday and left.

According to Edwards, she may have to bear the full cost of Warner’s funeral, something which she is prepared to do because of the close relationship she shared with the victim.

Yesterday, traffic backed up as a result of the fire with motorists stopping to look on at the police and fire activities at the scene.

However, by 11 am traffic returned to normal, and officers of the Besson Street Police Station continued enquires into the incident.

The charred remains of the victim were ordered removed to the Forensic Science Centre, St James. Yesterday, President of the Police Social and Welfare Association Inspector Michael Seales said he was disturbed to hear of the demise of the retired police officer who lived alone. He said “that problem of retired officers who find themselves living alone persists because of the demands of the job which destroys most of their relations with their families and friends.” He said the Association has recognised that and has partnered with the Police Retirees’ Association to try to alleviate those circumstances, “because we have had a number of cases - 100 plus so far - that we have identified policemen in particular living by themselves without any support, and they have difficulty managing their day-to-day life. So the Police Retirees Association and the Social and Welfare Association will be looking at that keenly to try to get some support services and social activities that can lend itself to strengthen the human relation that these officers suffer as a result of their lonesome life.”