Assistance sought after fire leaves 25 homeless in Whitfield Town
Published:Monday | January 15, 2024 | 12:05 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
Fire of unknown origin, which gutted premises located at 3 (1/2) and 4 Swettenham Road in Whitfield Town, Kingston 13, last Wednesday, has left 25 people homeless, including children of varying ages.
The inferno reportedly began at 5:50 p.m. and although there are no reports of serious injuries, the affected persons are scarred for life.
A single father of three is among the victims.
The Gleaner understands that at least one of the families has fallen victim to fire for a second time within a year.
A mother who spoke to The Gleaner said she lost everything but her concern rests with school supplies she had started to gather for her son who turns three years old later this month and was scheduled to begin schooling.
“Four of us live in the household. I have a son and January 30 is his birthday. I already bought uniform and shoes. Only thing left was for him to do his medical,” she said.
She is employed and was at work when the fire broke out.
“I feel a way but at the end of the day I still have life. I am working, so I just have to try and stay positive and try to rise from this. For the last two nights, I slept by my mother and in-laws. I would welcome any assistance,” she said.
Kingston and St Andrew Superintendent of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Patrick Gooden, told The Gleaner on Friday that the cause of the fire was being investigated.
“It’s actively ongoing. Units from Trench Town, Half Way Tree and York Park responded,” Gooden said.
Councillor for the Whitfield Town division, Eugene Kelly, told The Gleaner that he and Member of Parliament Dr Angela Brown Burke visited the affected residents on Thursday.
He was thankful no deaths were reported.
He told The Gleaner that they have contacted the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) to assist with cleaning-up activities.
“We have also reached out to the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) emergency department and will ask the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, who in situations like this could present some items of clothing if they have. Also bedding and a few days’ worth of food. I also know that the MP intends to reach out to the ministry of housing to see how we can assist in a permanent basis to rehouse them,” Kelly said.
He is also making an appeal to the public for those who can send clothing for the children, some of whom attend high school and are without any at the moment.
“We want them to go back to school. COVID did a major change to many children across the country and we don’t want them to lose any more time out of school,” Kelly said.
He said the children themselves have expressed to him their desire to return to school soonest.
Kelly said persons may reach out to the KSAMC poor relief unit and package items for fire victims of Swettenham Road.