Newborn homeless

Farmer Deodath Kantoo whose property and four vehicles were destroyed is calling on police to protect his family. He is convinced the fire was set by a person who has been threatening his family for some time.

Kantoo said he has made several reports to Princes Town police regarding the threats from this individual. “The police warned him but that did not stop him from lighting a bush fire which destroyed my house and vehicles,” he cried.

Kantoo related how on Wednesday afternoon he and sons Kashmee, 13, and Raheem, 12, were out in the fields cutting grass for their cows while his wife Vanessa Mohammed and their other children including a 12 day old baby boy, were at her parents’ home in Moruga. He said while in the bushes at 5 pm he saw smoke near his house and ran to it, only to see the building engulfed in flames.

He said neighbours assisted with garden hoses but in no time, the wooden structure was reduced to ashes. A report was made to the Princes Town Fire Station but when tenders arrived, it was too late. Nothing was saved.

Kantoo said although he contacted the Princes Town police no officer visited the scene.

“I had to go to the police station and asked why no one came to investigate.

Officers told me to come back at 6 pm Thursday to speak with an officer who will investigate.

This is not good enough,” he said. When Newsday contacted the police station, an officer said he could not say whether or not any report was made by Kantoo.

Kantoo, his wife and their seven children are now staying by relatives but he is appealing to members of the public to assist him in rebuilding his home. The farmer said he lost welding equipment and farming implements because of the fire. Losses were put at $300,000.

Anyone wishing to assist can contact the family at 312-4312 or 351-3443.