KINGSTON, Jamaica – At least 16 people are homeless following a fire that destroyed several houses on Charles Street and Luke Lane in downtown Kingston on Monday morning.

The fire reportedly started about 8am.

Firefighters battled the blaze, while homeowners made desperate attempts to save their possessions.

Acting Assistant Superintendent of the York Park Fire Station, F Bennett said four units were dispatched to contain the blaze, which he said left eight families homeless and approximately $10 million in damage.

“Approximately eight families were dislocated consisting of about 12 adults and four children,” Bennett said.

Councillor for the Tivoli Gardens Division, Donovan Samuels put the number of affected people even higher.

“We are doing the count but it seems to be about 30 persons… It has been bad, really bad, persons have lost everything because they weren’t on location, they were at work or doing something else and didn’t realise there was a fire,” he said.

One resident, Kelly-Ann Dixon said she was hanging out laundry when she saw smoke.

“When we saw fire around the yard, we called for help and everybody came and we were throwing water… but we couldn’t save nuttin more,” a tearful Dixon said. “Ah just mi fridge alone mi save out deh.”
Samuels said the authorities will look to assist affected residents.

“The damage is extensive, the authorities will have to see what we can put together to assist these families,” Samuels said, adding that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security will do an assessment “and we take it from there”.