Senior Reporter
otto.carrington@cnc3.co.tt
The community of Egypt Trace Extension, Endeavour, Chaguanas, was thrown into mourning yesterday, after one-year-old Harley Persad died in a fire at her family’s residence.
The heart-wrenching event occurred while little Harley was peacefully asleep in her bedroom after the fire erupted shortly after 11 am.
Harley’s parents, both farmers, and her grandparents rushed to her assistance, but tragically were too late to save her.
Desperate cries for help echoing throughout the neighbourhood, prompted their neighbour Bobby Ramtahal, his brother and other residents to selflessly attempt a rescue, but their courageous efforts were unsuccessful.
Ramtahal was injured during the rescue attempt.
“I tried to get my fire extinguisher, and a few neighbours brought some as well, but it was unable to extinguish the fire. We tried using a garden hoe to pull the crib, but you could not see anything in the room,” he recounted to Guardian Media.
“I and my brother, the child’s mother, father and grandfather were there, but the child’s mother and father sustained severe burns and had to be taken to the hospital.”
He continued, “We tried, but we were unsuccessful. If I had a few more minutes before the fire intensified, I would have gone in, even if it meant getting burned, to save that child.”
Little Harley’s grandfather, Deosaran Persad, heard the infant’s piercing cry only once, as thick smoke swiftly enveloped the entire room where she lay.
Deosaran had seen his granddaughter just a couple of hours before she settled down for her routine nap. His face and hair were scorched by the intense heat of the flames.
Still reeling from the incident, he recounted how he was on the verge of leaving the house when he heard his wife’s anguished cries.
“Up until this morning when she came in, she was smiling right through. They took her and put her to bed. I was just about to leave when my wife shouted ‘fire.’ When I reached the door, I realised that the room was on fire. I made two or three attempts to get into the room to bring out the child; that was my first priority,” Deosaran said.
He added, “This is so unfortunate. Normally, I know my son, granddaughter and daughter-in-law, and they have all the time in the world, but things just happened differently this time. That room must have been on fire for a little while, and normally, the child would cry out. I was downstairs, and I did not hear anything.”
Harley’s mother was also injured while attempting to rescue her daughter. She remained at hospital last night, while her husband was treated and discharged.
Chaguanas East MP Vandana Mohit visited the family but did not get to speak to the child’s parents as they had already been taken to the hospital.
“I have been speaking to neighbours and we will come back later to have discussions about what they need. I will do my best to assist,” Mohit said.
Chaguanas Mayor Faaiq Mohammed also visited the family and expressed concern about the increasing number of tragic incidents involving children, from drownings to house fires.
He shared his initiative to teach life-saving skills, such as CPR, in primary schools and educate children on how to respond to emergencies like falling into a pool. The mayor assured that the Chaguanas corporation will provide support to the grieving family.
In a media release, the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service extended their condolences to the Persad family, stating that the circumstances surrounding the fire were still under investigation.
Following is a list of children who died of unnatural causes so far this year:
Andrea Lallan, 13, was murdered at her Rio Claro home on September 29, hours affecting identifying her alleged rapists at the Rio Claro Police Station.
Shazade Simon, three, of Gasparillo, died at the San Fernando General Hospital on September 25 after sustaining burn injuries from falling into a pot of lentils. An autopsy determined that she died from blood clots.
D’Amarie Jeffrey, five, of La Brea, drowned at Fun Splash Water Park, Debe, on September 24, where he went with relatives to celebrate his cousin’s birthday.
Faith Peterkin, 10, Arianna Peterkin, 14, Shane Peterkin, 17, Tiffany Peterkin, 19, were shot to death at the Height of Guanapo home on September 21st. Five other people, including a 14-year-old boy, were also injured.
Shakeel Williams, five, of St Juan, died at his grandmother’s home on September 2, after he was found unresponsive with marks on his body. Police ruled it a homicide and held two relatives for questioning.
Precious Wills, 17, of Crown Point, Tobago, was shot dead while liming on Up Top Bar and Lounge on August 27.
Jude Hector, 16, from Caroni, was shot dead by a gunman on August 20.
Majeed Rashada, nine, drowned in the Aripo River on August 19.
Raniah Lewis, two, choked on a chennette seed at her Siparia home on August 17. A younger relative reportedly shared out the fruits to her and others.
Adesh Joseph, 10, perished in a fire with his mother, Natasha Nancoo and brother, Enrique Reyes, at their home in Sangre Grande on August 17.
Omari Providence, nine, of Laventille, disappeared underwater as he and his relatives bathed at Mission Beach, Toco, on July 30.
Tyrese Singh, 16, drowned in Manzanilla on July 31.
Isaac Madoosingh, 17, was shot by a gunman at his Sangre Grande home on July 26.
Tariq Toney, 12, died after falling onto a knife at the back of his Fifth Company, Princes Town home on July 10.
Ariah Sheppard, three, of Sea Lots, died at the Sangre Grande Hospital on July 11 after falling ill at her grandmother’s home in Matelot. Reports indicated a delay in getting medical help as no ambulance was available.
Keil Paul, 14, of Valencia, was killed by gunmen while playing football at KP Lands Valencia Savannah on March 25.
Aarron Hills, 17, of Rockley Vale, Tobago, died in a vehicle accident in Scarborough on March 12.
Kylie Maloney, six, died from a gunshot wound to the chest when gunmen stormed her Sangre Grande home on January 8.
