11 homeless after fire destroys house in South Rivers

A total of 11 persons, including children and babies, are now homeless after a fire destroyed their dwelling house on Monday, June 5.

Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves spoke on NBC Radio on Wednesday, about the fire which broke out at the home of Diana Arrington in South Rivers, at around 10:00 a.m while the mother of three was in the mountain.

However, one of her children, Altisha Arrington was at home when the blaze started and managed to run to safety.

Altisha, who is five months pregnant, with her fourth child, was asleep in the house when it became engulfed in flames.

When SEARCHLIGHT visited the family at their burnt out home in South Rivers on Wednesday, there was an air of sadness all around.

Altisha explained that because of her pregnancy she was not feeling very well on Monday morning.

Diana Arrington (centre at back) with her children and grandchildren outside their burnt out home on Wednesday.

She said she took Gravol tablets and went to her bedroom to lie down; her three year old son was also with her.

The young woman added that she eventually fell asleep because the Gravol made her nauseous.

“While sleeping, I just felt like a heat in the place, and so me jump up.”

She recalled that the heat was coming from her mother’s bedroom, which is the middle bedroom.

“I ran towards her bedroom, and when I opened the door, I just see fire and the black smoke.

“Then me tek up me child and out the house and bawl for help.”

Altisha said her young son was in the bedroom with her, so after seeing the fire in her mother’s room, she went back for the child and they were able to get out of the house unharmed.

She further related that relatives and neighbours rushed to her assistance and began pouring buckets of water on the burning house.

By the time the fire was put out, almost all of the contents in the four bedroom, concrete house had burnt to ashes.

Her mother Diana Arrington, who owns the house, told SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday that she was still in a state of shock concerning the fire which destroyed her home.

Diana, who is also a mother of three said she was in the mountain when she got the news that there was a fire at her home.

“Somebody called me in the mountain and tell me that me house on fire, so me run come down.”

The South Rivers farmer said when she reached at her home she met neighbours trying to put out the blaze. The woman said she is thankful that none of her children or grandchildren was injured in the blaze.

However, the family just managed to save a few items of clothing.

The mother, her children and her grandchildren are now homeless.

The family has had to split up as they seek shelter at the homes of other relatives and friends. They are in need of food, clothing and shelter and are asking for help.