Scores homeless following massive fire in downtown Kingston
AN undetermined number of people, from at least eight families, were left homeless Monday after fire ravaged four premises in downtown Kingston.
People on the scene initially told the Jamaica Observer that at least 30 of their neighbours had been displaced but officials from the Jamaica Fire Brigade later said eight families, 12 adults and four children, were left homeless at 51 and 53 Charles Street, and 121 and 123 Luke Lane.
According to the fire brigade, approximately 8:54 am a call was received about a major fire in the heart of downtown Kingston. One unit from Trench Town Fire Station was dispatched but while it was en route it was determined that additional support would be needed.
Units from Rollington Town and other support services were dispatched to the scene.
The fire brigade said the damage was estimated at $10 million as the houses were destroyed while its units concentrated on ensuring that the fire did not spread.
One of the fire victims, Paul Finnegan, told the Observer that he had left for work when he received a call that everything in his house had been engulfed by flames.
“Everything is gone, everything is gone,” said the 59-year-old Finnegan who has lived at the Luke Lane premises for 20 years.
He said he lived at the premises with his common-law wife and their seven-month-old daughter, who were not injured in the blaze.
“We saved a couple of things… like the baby’s playpen, the fridge, and the TV but as far as clothes, papers, all of that gone. I have seen a fire like this in other yards but you always think, ‘Not me,’ but it can happen to anybody,” added Finnegan.
Councillor Donovan Samuels (Jamaica Labour Party, Tivoli Gardens Division) was among those expressing regret at the tragedy.
Samuels said while his team was still doing their count they estimate the number of victims at 30.
“It has been bad, real bad. People have lost everything — because they were at work or doing something else so they didn’t realise there was a fire — and a lot of people have been displaced,” said Samuels.
He told the Observer that he will now be contacting the relevant authorities to see what can be done to assist the victims.
“Initially, the Ministry of Social Security will step in to see what can be done for the immediate needs — especially for the children who have lost books and clothing. After that, we will take it from there to see how we can deal with accommodation and all of that,” added Samuels.
