Family of 3 homeless after blaze

INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into a fire which destroyed a house in Parforce Road, Gasparillo as well as a car which was parked nearby. The blaze left three persons homeless on Thursday night and losses have been estimated at close to $300,000. Newsday understands that around 10.30 pm, owner of the property Toy Ali, 54, was nearing her Prem Avenue, Parforce Road, Gasparillo home, when she found the two-storey wooden and concrete structure engulfed in flames. Fire Services were called in but were too late to save the building and the car owned by Ali’s nephew, Anderson Seelochan, which was parked near the house.

Speaking with Newsday, Ali’s brother Johnny Seelochan desperately pleaded for help on behalf of his sister, saying she was unemployed and all that she had was destroyed in the fire. Seelochan said at the time of the fire, a young couple, who were newly married, were renting the ground floor and only just managed to escape the inferno. However, their personal belongings were destroyed. Seelochan said he would be grateful if anyone could help his sister to rebuild the home which she has been living in for the past 35 years. Ali said his sister was a widower and mother of one son, David Shaffiat, 34.

Ali’s son, Shaffiat said his mother, who suffered from stress, was at his Charles Street, Gasparillo apartment, in a deep state of depression. Shaffiat said his mother’s only form of livelihood was from the rent she collected. “Now all has gone up in flames and my mother has been left with nothing but the clothes on her back. God help her,” Shaffiat cried. Up to late yesterday Gasparillo police had not yet ascertained the cause of the fire and investigations were continuing.