Stilldressed in her school uniform, Form six pupil Adriann Williams held on to her mother Allison and sobbed uncontrollably as she gazed at the smouldering ruins of their Vistabellahome.
With tears streaming down her face, Allison made a futile attempt to console her daughter but her whispered words of comfort drew a fresh torrent of tears.
A few feet away, brother Brandon Williams sat on the curb crying silently with his head bent.
"We have nothing now. Everything is lost. I have no family and nobody to go to. I was an adopted child with no family and now that I have lost my home," Allison wept. The two storey house on Hubert Rance Street Vistabella burnt down shortly before8 am, leaving the family of eight homeless.
Saying sheleft home about6 amto get towork at Junior Sammy Contractors in Claxton Bay, Allison said she had no idea what caused the fire.
The house did not have an electricity supply and there was no stove or lamp ignited. Allison saidas usual her eldest children Adrian, 17, and Brandon, 21, were in charge of getting the younger children- Amy, 15, Aneesa, 12, Sydney, eight, Jordan, seven, and two-year-old Liam, ready for school. Amy attends Pleasantville Secondary, while the other children attend the Seventh Day Adventist Primary school in San Fernando. Liam attends Little Angels Pre-School while Adriann attends San Fernando West Secondary.
Brandon said everyone was ready for school at7 am.
Asked whether she believed the fire was maliciously set, Alison said, "I really don't know. I will leave this up to God." She also refused to say whether she had any threats or disagreements with anyone.
Next door neighbour Kerry Vincent said his mother Sylda noticed the smoke blanketing the house around8:45 am.
"I went up the stairs but nobody was home. I tried to use a bucket but the fire had already reached the roof," Vincent said. Three cars which were parked in front of the burning house were hurriedly removed and a call was made to the Mon Repos Fire Headquarters.
More than two dozen firefighters led by Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Ansar Ali, Fire Substation Officer Craig, Actg FSSO David Akers and Sub officer Solomon responded. They were unable to save to house. Fire prevention officers said they will return to the scene to search for clues into the cause of the blaze. San Fernando Police are continuing investigations.