16 homeless after suspected arson attacks
Published:Friday | December 31, 2021 | 12:12 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
In what residents suspect to be a retaliatory attack in a dispute over domestic issues, arsonists on Thursday morning continued their spate of destruction by setting fire to a three-bedroom unoccupied house after destroying three adjoining houses on Monday night, leaving 16 persons homeless in a section of Naggo Head, St Catherine.
No lives were lost as a result of the fires – which occurred in a section of the community called ‘Israel’ – but, with the latest attack, fears that more reprisals could ensue are haunting the families, including four children, who have lost all their possessions.
According to residents, Monday’s blaze started about 11 p.m. at a wooden structure occupied by a couple and their three children, who were reportedly not at home at the time.
It quickly spread to two other board houses within proximity, with losses estimated to be in the region of $17 million.
The fire department estimated yesterday’s blaze to be an additional $5 million.
Georgia Samuels, who has been living in the community for 35 years with her family of seven, had just stocked her grocery shop in anticipation of holiday sales when tragedy struck.
“I have lost everything – my home and furniture, my shop and all the stock ... . I could only [save] my phone and my handbag,” she told The Gleaner, adding that she dashed from the burning building out of fear that she could be trapped inside by falling pieces of wood.
“Right now, I am broken mentally, physically, everything,” she added, disclosing that a neighbour has offered her shelter until this weekend.
Samuels said that she does not wish to continue living in the area, which is plagued by violence.
Neighbours alluded to a domestic rift that has embroiled two factions in the community.
The shooting death of a technician, who reportedly refused to comply with an order by thugs to remove a surveillance camera from his rented house in the vicinity, is also believed to be a part of the continuing feud.
Eugenie Coley, a dressmaker who, along with her family of six, occupied a five-bedroom house and had two other persons staying over, said that they were alerted to the impending disaster by her daughter.
“All I heard was a popping sound and my daughter said, ‘Mommy, it sounds like fire deh next door. So I jumped up and, by the time mi could a get mi papers out, the fire was already on my rooftop because the houses are so near. So I have to run out leaving everything,” she told The Gleaner. “I have nowhere to live, but I trust in God.”
St Catherine Southern Member of Parliament Fitz Jackson expressed sadness at the events, adding that his office will be carrying out an analysis of the immediate needs of the families, to see how best to assist them with temporary shelter.