Fire destroys grandmother’s dream

Marilyn Matthews, 60, of Bayshore, Marabella told Newsday she lost thousands of dollars worth of building material and household items in the fire.

‘“Right now I am homeless,” Matthews said. Since repairs began on her home, she has been staying at a friend not too far away and stated that about 9.30 am yesterday, she looked out in the direction of her house and saw smoke coming from near the front door and immediately raised an alarm. She is baffled as to how the fire started since the house has no electricity and there were no exposed flames. At the time, no one was in the house which she shares with her son.

Matthews explained, “I got up and saw the whole house on fire and by the time the young fellows came to help me it was too late.” She said she had been converting her wooden house into concrete.

She added, “It was a two-bedroom house and I was making it into four bedrooms for my grandchildren when they come to visit. Right now my dream is over because I lost everything.” Yesterday, officers of the Fire Prevention Department of the San Fernando Fire Department visited the scene as they sought clues to determine the exact cause of the fire. Investigations are continuing.