A bush fire got out of control after a man tried to burn some dried grass destroyed two homes and a car in Laventille on Sunday leaving seven people homeless.
According to reports, the two wooden houses caught fire around 9 am in Block 22, Laventille.
The affected families were not present when Guardian Media visited the scene around 10 am.
Resident Selena Williams said she was getting ready for church when she was alerted by neighbours about the blaze.
“I smell the bush burning and I peek out,” she said.
“I went back to getting ready and then I hear the neighbour saying, ‘Like Selena not home or what?’,” Williams said as she recounted the incident.
“When I open the door the whole place was black. I just run out like I mad.”
She said she fled the house bare-footed, grabbing her granddaughter and a handbag with important documents.
Williams was thankful that her home had not been damaged but said she had to run through thick black smoke to safety.
She said she believes she knew who is responsible for the fire.
She said she saw a man cutting grass and cleaning up around a one-bedroom house on Saturday.
“He was cutting bush the day before, he was calling and asking me if I have matches,” she said.
Williams said she hoped that the person responsible would be held accountable for the losses.