Victims stay at Cricket Club

In addition to the house being destroyed, school books and uniforms of the six children were also lost in the blaze which occurred on Saturday. The children, whose ages range from four to 14, all attend various schools in central Trinidad.

Police said the fire, which is believed to be electrical, started around 10 am at the family’s Marshall Trace, Cunupia home. Desperate to rebuild and start their life over, the family is appealing to Good Samaritans in society to assist them in any way possible.

Police said the house was valued at $160,000. The family has since taken up residence at the Munroe Road Cricket Club which has been converted into temporary living quarters. When Newsday visited the club yesterday, relatives were busy preparing the midday meal.

Owner of the house Evelyn Martin, 75, sat quietly in a corner of the club with a dazed look on her face.

Martin said she was “extremely thankful” to Chaguanas MP Manohar Ramsaran who responded immediately to their plight.

She was also thankful to others who donated food and clothing.

“The children are our main concern because all their school items were destroyed. We purchased books, uniforms and school shoes and everything was destroyed,” Martin said.

She told Newsday $5,000 which was kept at home to complete the purchase of other school items for the six children, was lost in the blaze.

“We are a poor family but always try to make sure our children are properly equipped for school.

However, this time around, we really need some help. We lost everything in the blink of an eye,” Martin said.

She has asked anyone who is willing to assist her family to contact her at 781-9065.