Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland – Twenty-one people are now homeless after fire of unknown origin destroyed six houses and three shops at 14 Beckford Street in Savanna-la-Mar at about 2 pm on Tuesday.

According to the parish’s assistant superintendent of fire, Roland Hudson, they responded to a fire which was approximately three minutes from base and on arrival they saw several board structures engulfed in flames.

Assistance was reportedly sought from a rapid response unit which came 45 minutes later. A fire tender unit from the Sugar Company of Jamaica’s Frome Division also assisted in fighting the blaze.

Nothing was saved from the nine structures that were destroyed, and the loss has been estimated to be at least $5 million with the risk set at three times that amount. None of the houses, or their contents, were insured.

Quick action by community members saved a neighbouring concrete house belonging to Pearlesta Gooden. Her house was only scorched by the flames but as a measure of caution, the entire contents of her 12-apartment house were removed to safety. The items were later returned to the house after the fire was brought under control.

Assistant superintendent Hudson, who empathised with those who had lost valuables in the blaze, commended citizens for their quick action. Wayne Pasco was among the day’s heroes.”I arrived on the scene when just two houses were ablaze but if we had more fire units available some of the houses could have been saved,” he theorised.

Other community members, as well as assistant superintendent Hudson, called for more fire units for the parish.

“We in the fire department are suffering as we do not have adequate appliances and tools to work with, but with what we have we will do our best to serve the public,” the fire-fighter said as he stressed that he understood the current financial constraints.

Currently there is just one fire unit serving the parish as the one stationed at Negril is at the Savanna-la-Mar station undergoing repairs on one of the pumps.