Cops pull five children from demolished house

Five children, ages ranging from one to six, were rescued from a house by police officers minutes before the driver of a backhoe demolished the house with the grandmother of the children trapped inside. Margaret Heeralal, 52, had been living at the house at 23 Southern Main Road, Curepe all her life. She considers the move by the police and a relative yesterday, as illegal and is calling on Ag Police Commissioner Everald Snaggs to investigate the matter. Heeralal had been living in the house with 16 other family members. Her troubles began last year following the death of her cousin. Reports revealed that around 10 am yesterday, a man accompanied by a bailiff and police officers, went to the Curepe home and instructed Heeralal to vacate the house. She refused to do so until she was given time to remove her belongings. Her requests were refused and a backhoe driver, who was instructed to demolish the house, proceeded with his  instructions.

Heeralal, who was inside the house when it was demolished, escaped with no serious injuries but she told Newsday that she will continue to occupy the premises because the matter is still pending in court. She lost a quantity of household and electronic items when the house was demolished. As tears came to her eyes, the angry woman pointed out that she has also been threatened and officers of the St Joseph police station refused to take her report. Late yesterday, neighbours assisted her in constructing a makeshift house to spend the night.