Shane Superville
Senior Reporter
shane.superville@guardian.co.tt
Four families, comprising at least 18 people, are now homeless after a fire on Africa Road, Laventille, gutted three homes yesterday morning.
While the survivors are grateful to be alive, they say they will have to start “from scratch” as all of their belongings were destroyed in the fire.
When Guardian Media visited the area, fire officers from the Wrightson Road Fire Station were still on the scene dousing the burnt-out houses and surrounding bushes with water.
One woman, Elizabeth Ramnath said she was asleep just before 9 am when she felt an intense heat inside her home.
She quickly woke up and realised her home and others clustered nearby were on fire.
“I just ran out when I felt the heat. I just run out.
“It was really frightening, this is my brother’s place. It’s just him and I living and we lost everything.”
Residents said neighbours rushed to their assistance by forming a bucket brigade to prevent the spread of the flames to other nearby structures before fire officers arrived.
However, the fire spread quickly, destroying the homes of the families within a matter of minutes.
Two other houses were also damaged as furniture and windows were scorched.
Another affected resident, Giselle Estrada, said she was at work when she received a call from her son that their home was on fire.
She said while she was happy her children were not hurt, it was disheartening to know that all of her belongings including important documents and even the immunisation cards of her children were lost in the fire.
“Nobody wake up and expect to face this.
“Children gone to school and don’t know when they come back where they’re going, what they’re going to eat or drink.”
Councillor for Beetham/Picton area Darren Corridon said he met with residents and gathered as much information as possible to coordinate assistance with other agencies.
“Within a matter of minutes, everything was flattened. A lot of the structures were made of boards which have been up for a very long time.
“I reached out to the San Juan Regional Disaster team, they are organising to see what they can bring. The MP has been in close contact with me.
“I have my own mas band, so members are looking to see what they can pool together as well to help.”
Contacted on the issue, Port-of-Spain South MP Keith Scotland, SC, said he visited the site of the fire yesterday afternoon and met with residents.
Scotland said he was also grateful that no lives were lost.
“I met with the four families on the scene and I have devised a plan of action to assist them in the short, medium and long term.
“We will attempt to do our best to soften this blow.
“But I must say I am so grateful that no lives were lost, I am eternally grateful to the Almighty and I am so thankful no lives were lost.”
Fire officers are still trying to determine the cause of the blaze.