Twenty six homeless after South fires

Yesterday morning, the Stannis family was revelling in the final day of the three-day Christmas weekend, eating, drinking and laughing around the feet of Agnes Stannis, the 84-year-old matriarch of their East Bayshore, Marabella home when the festivities were abruptly halted around 10.30am when six-year-old Kayleen Attong scampered out of the upper level of the two storey house screaming “Fire, fire !” A fire had broken out on the upper level of the main house, and was already beginning to spread.

Adults tossed aside their drinks and children ran away to safety while neighbours tried everything they could to put out the spreading fire.

According to Gerard Joseph, 45, neighbours formed a bucket brigade while others used hoses to try to contain the blaze, “But water wasn’t on the line and the water pressure was too low,” said Joseph, so they watched as the main structure of the house which stood for 43 years burn to the ground, taking another adjacent house with it.

Another two houses were also badly damaged in the blaze.

“It had nothing we could do and I don’t know what going to happen to us now,” said Joseph. Joseph said that the Fire Service reached the scene 45 minutes after the fire broke out. By the time they reach, everything was already gone.” Completely destroyed in the blaze were two fridges, four wardrobes, five beds including two newly bought double-decker beds, and several other appliances.

However, though the fire destroyed their homes during the Christmas season and left around 20 of them without a home, those affected managed to maintain a hopeful spirit. “At the end of the day, we go build back,” said Joseph.

“There basketball court there, that is our own. Who could stay by neighbours by neighbours. All we want the people of the country to know is that all we need in the ghetto is material. Once we get material, is a love. We will handle our own stories from there.” The cause of the fire was not yet determined.

Persons wishing to assist the fire victims can contact Leon Grant at 276 3546. Officers of the Mon Repos Fire Station are continuing their investigations.

Meanwhile, six persons are now homeless after fire destroyed a tyre shop and family home at St Mary’s Village, Moruga yesterday morning. Reports said fire started at around 11.23 am at Fatboy’s Tyre Shop located downstairs the dwelling house and quickly spread to the family home located at the upstairs of the two storey building.

The cause of that fire too is not known.