ST MARY, Jamaica  —  A  devastating fire destroyed a family’s  three bedroom semi-concrete/board house in Frontier, St Mary on Sunday, leaving the occupants with nothing but ashes.

Angella Thompson, a craft vendor, says the loss of irreplaceable family photos and memories hurt the most as she looked at the burnt rumble of her home.

Fire victim Angella Thompson

“The loss of family pictures, my uncle’s pictures and records when they were young hurts the most; that is  greater than the material things,” she told the Observer Online. Thompson said that she was not at home when the fire occurred.

Thompson looks around on what is left of her house

She shared that, “Me and my daughter went to Pagee to buy fish when we got the call that the house was on fire”.

A shocked Thompson said the family has lost millions of dollars in new furniture and appliances. Her 86 y-o mother was at home when the fire occurred but was unharmed.

Despite the material losses, Thompson is grateful that no life was lost.

The Port Maria fire brigade responded to the call. The cause of the fire is unknown but investigations are ongoing.

— Ingrid Henry