Christmas blues for Castara family

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Camille Mc Eachnie

Ten people, including two minors, are now homeless following a Christmas Eve day fire in Castara yesterday.

It’s the second time in less than one month that the family was struck by fire, a family member told Guardian Media.

According to the T&T Fire Service, the fire, which started just before noon, destroyed 96 per cent of the house owned by Gloria George.

Divisional Fire Officer David Joseph-Thomas told Guardian Media that when Fire Service officials arrived on the scene along the Castara Road, the building was already almost completely gutted.

“We have estimated the destruction to be approximately 96 per cent. Ten persons, including two minors, occupied the building. The approximate value is about $1. 1 million and contents about $350,000,” the fire official said.

Asked what they suspect started the fire, Joseph-Thomas said, “It’s premature to say what caused the fire. Investigators have unearthed some evidence, but the details, including the cause, will be given subsequently.”

He said investigations will be continuing into the cause of the fire.

When Guardian Media visited the scene, the members of the community were still in shock.

A member of the family, Kamion George, said this was a “double tragedy” for them. He said his mother, Gloria George, took his sister Anita to the hospital, as his sister fainted when she saw their house being destroyed in thet fire.

He said his sister, who lives in the Castara Housing Scheme, had similarly lost her house in a fire only three weeks ago and had moved into the family’s home with her children.

“She moved in with us …and now this gone and happen. This is a real double tragedy. I don’t know what else to say,” Kamion told Guardian Media.

He said he was plying his trade, transporting goods to various places, when he got the call about the fire.

“I still can’t believe it. I don’t know what happened but this is so, so sad,” he said as he offloaded goods from his van.

“I ent process this yet. I don’t know where I sleeping but I does live good so I will be good.”