Freelance Correspondent
A 64-year-old man perished in an early morning fire at his St Joseph Street, Foster Road, Sangre Grande home yesterday.
He has been identified as Nick Cannon, or Banker. Neighbours said Nick Cannon was an alias, as the man did not have a birth Cannon lived alone in a 10x0 foot wooden and galvanize structure. The house had no electricity. He was reportedly released from prison 10 years ago.
Police said at 4.05 am yesterday, a neighbour saw the house on fire and contacted the police and Fire Service.
The Fire Service, under DFO Dasent, FSO Thomas and firefighters Singh, Samaroo, Bissoon, Austin and Baptiste, arrived shortly thereafter and put out the blaze. They found the man’s remains within the burnt structure.
District Medical Officer Dr Krishna Chandolu examined the body and ordered its removal for an autopsy to be performed at the Forensic Science Centre St James. However, fire officers could not determine the cause of the fire.
Neighbour Kizzy Taylor said she awoke around 4 am to prepare food for her daughter and when she looked through her window, she saw the house on fire. She called the Fire service but said they were unable to do anything to save his life as the house was engulfed in flames
Taylor said she tried to get public assistance for Cannon but could not because he had no national identification.
She said she used to carry food and chat with him.
She said a candle or flambeau that he used as a source of light could have caused the fire.