Sleeping on basketball court

As Jesekiah ate a sandwich, he seemed unaware of their fate and that of the neighbours whose homes were razed by a fire set off on Boxing Day when a lit candle he held to pray for his father, who is in prison, fell out of his tiny hands.

Two houses were burnt flat rendering 28 people homeless, including the boy’s family.

Since Monday, the families have been sleeping in the covered area of the nearby basketball court and at the homes of friends.

Jesekiah suffers from autism which inhibits his mental and physical abilities. He sat under a Tamarind tree yesterday outside the ruins of his home, along with neighbours surveying where they once lived. Others distributed meals to children and elderly people.

In their conversations about the tragedy that has befallen them, no one spoke ill of the boy. His mother, Kay Greene, 35, fed her son the sandwich and as she did so, she said she has not spoken to him about the fire.

“He would not understand what happened. I who lit the candle and was praying for his (Jesekiah’s) father who is in prison. I leave the candle on the shelf and Jesekiah pick up the candle and followed me to pray for his father. The candle fall off his hand and the next thing I know, the bed was on fire,” Greene said.

The fire spread to neighbouring apartments and men, women and children scampered out of their homes. By the time fire appliances arrived, seven apartments were gutted. The affected families are: Leon Grant, Gerald Grant, Kay Greene, Peggy Alleyne, Natalie Williams, Agnis Tannis and Patrick Williams.

Natalie, a 34-year-old mother of two, said she was grateful there was no loss of life. Natalie is the sister of Greene and Jesekiah’s aunt.

She recalled the horror when people began to scream as the wind blew the flames from door to door.

It was at about 10 am on Monday, when her grandmother Agnes Tannis, 83, called on the family members to gather under the tamarind tree for a traditional Boxing Day meal. Natalie said, “This is a tradition with granny and we all heed her call. We were outside the apartments when Kalina (Attong, a relative) shouted ‘fire! fire! Everybody left what they were doing under the tree and run into their apartment and grab their children.

We lost everything.” Natalie spoke about Jesekiah whom she said always seemed to be in a posture as if he is praying The woman, who lived in the apartment next to her sister, said, “His mother would hold the candle and pray everyday and Jesekiah will follow suit. It seems that he could not control the candle and it fell on the bed and caught a fire.

His 11-month-old brother, Israel, was asleep on the bed but luckily, he was rescued in time.” Natalie said when her apartment became engulfed in flames, she ran into the living room to pick up her television set, but, spotted her son Asa, six, in the thick smoke. She dropped the television and grabbed her son. Her sister, Greene, was only able to salvage a few family photos.

San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello visited the residents who sat under trees and had their meals which were supplied by the San Fernando City Corporation. He also delivered to them mattresses and clothing. Regrello said, “It is unfortunate that these families have to endure such hardship at a time when everyone is enjoying the Christmas season.” The fact they had settled at the basketball court, he added, is a bit of relief. The mayor said he has since contacted business owners for donations of building materials towards restoring their homes as soon as possible.

The Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service is advising business owners to secure their businesses as there has been an “unusual” increase in arson.

Speaking with Newsday yesterday, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Kenny Gopaul said in the last month fire officers have responded to six incidents of “non-accidental fires”.

These occurred in San Juan, San Fernando and Princes Town.

“We are finding incendiary devices and forced openings in these businesses. There is a definite prevalence right now and it is highly unusual.

Business owners should take additional precautionary measures, install more cameras, have security patrols. They should also liaise with the police and fire services,” he said.

Gopaul also had words of advice for citizens during this holiday period.

Dozens of people are now homeless as fires destroyed homes in several parts of the country.

He said people should not leave naked flames unattended as well as minors who may be near to fire. He also advised people using fireworks to be careful. “They should supervise minors who are using fireworks or who participate in bamboo bursting.

We warn people about doing these things but we can’t stop them, they need to be careful,” he said.

Gopaul noted there were regulations that governed the use of fireworks.

“These activities should be done in open areas. We get a lot of calls during the holiday period about people being damaged severely through fireworks and other pyrotechnics.

So take precaution, people should seek the advice of the fire service.