7 HOMELESS AFTER FIRE

The family is also blaming TTEC contractors for the incident and is calling for compensation.

"On Friday evening, a contractor came and installed two new streetlights. Soon after that all the homes on the street started experiencing low voltage," Terence Lalwah told Newsday.

"Even a television announcer who lives on our street was complaining about it. When we contacted TTEC they took no notice.

"The wires on the lamp-post even started to spark, but no one took us on.

"Yesterday morning at 4 am my father got up and went downstairs preparing for work. A short while after, my mother Jassdora Lalwah came outside at the back and saw the roof of the gallery on fire with the wire from the pole next to it sparking.

"She raised an alarm and by the time my brother and his wife and my wife, child and myself ran outside from our apartments, the entire top floor was engulfed with fire. We tried in vain to put out the fire with blankets and water.

" Within moments it burnt through the wooden floors and fell downstairs, destroying everything.

"By the time the fire brigade arrived, 45 minutes later, everything was destroyed. A house next door also suffered water damage."

Fortunately for the Lalwahs, all of the residents on the street are related, so they will be afforded temporary accommodation.

The house is estimated at $800,000, while items inside were valued at $250,000. The Lalwah’s are seeking redress from TTEC.