RADHICA DE SILVA
Trapped in her burning home, wheelchair-bound pensioner Rosilia Mitchell was lifted to safety by her family, narrowly escaping the inferno that ravaged three houses and left four families homeless on Christmas Day.
As flames engulfed the structures at Polo Grounds, Preysal, Mitchell watched helplessly from her wheelchair as firefighters battled to contain the blaze just after midnight on Christmas morning.
Speaking to Guardian Media, Mitchell’s daughter Allison Corbin said it took half an hour for the firefighters to arrive because they came from the Chaguanas Fire Station, but by then two houses were reduced to ashes, and a third was damaged.
Recounting the ordeal, Corbin said the firefighters had sufficient water but the fire had already become uncontrollable. Neighbours were not at home and could not help with the rescue.
Corbin said the fire began in the home of her brother, Winston Kissoon, who was also not present at the time. Her husband Martin Moses, daughter Xaria Moses and her granddaughter aged two also had to flee the flames.
“It happened around 11.20 am. My other brother Matthew Corbin had to get my mother out because she could not walk. My stepfather Daniel Mitchell also got out safely, so we are thankful for that,” Allision said.
Daniel described the moment his son carried Rosilia to safety.
“It was not nice. My son had to lift her out as the fire spread. It wasn’t easy. I’m still shaken by it all,” he whispered.
As fire prevention officers combed through the ruins to determine the cause of the blaze, Daniel issued a heartfelt appeal to the public for assistance. “We’ve lost everything. Anyone who can help, please call 461-2893,” he pleaded.
He said the family now had to face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives.
“It hard to start over now and everything gone,” he added. Among those left homeless was Corbin’s two-year-old granddaughter.
Officers from the Couva Police Station are continuing investigations.
