Blind, elderly man dies in St Mary fire
ST MARY, Jamaica — The charred remains of an elderly, blind man were found in the rubble of what was once his one-bedroom board house in Esher, St Mary on Tuesday.
He has been identified as Alfred “Cracky” Thompson.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined by firefighters but neighbours speculate that it could have been caused by a lit candle or kerosene lamp, which Thompson often used as a source of power. The house had no electricity.
Neighbours told OBSERVER ONLINE that Thompson, who lived alone, was last seen in his yard on Monday. Around 5:00 am on Tuesday, fire was seen coming from his house and the Port Maria fire station was called. Firefighters arrived to find the house completely gutted.
Thompson’s burnt body was found during cooling down operations.
Investigations continue.
– Ingrid Henry