Senior Reporter
shane.superville@guardian.co.tt
Residents of Robinson Lane, Laventille, tried in vain to save 84-year-old Elise Morris from a devastating house fire that engulfed her home Thursday night. Morris, who used a wheelchair, was trapped on the top floor when flames erupted around 8.26 pm, according to police reports.
Two children, aged three and ten, who were also at home, managed to escape unharmed. Neighbours quickly formed a bucket brigade, but the intensity of the blaze made it impossible to reach Morris. Firefighters from the Morvant and Wrightson Road stations eventually extinguished the fire, but her body and a burnt wheelchair were found on the ground floor, while the second-storey floor was completely destroyed. Fire officials noted the home had no electricity and relied on candles for lighting.
Sources said Morris’ niece, who cared for her and the children, had briefly left the house to fetch items from a nearby shop. She returned to find the building consumed by flames.
Eyewitnesses described the desperate struggle to save her. One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said her husband tried to break into the home to rescue Morris. “He went across… he tried to kick open the door, with our curtains over him for safety. When they finally got the door open, he tried to get inside, but the fire was too strong. It was really scary. I was shaking at that time, and it’s tragic that someone lost their life like that,” she said.
Despite the heartbreak, the community rallied around the children and praised the efforts of neighbours. “There was a lot of love and support. Everybody was outside, trying to help, some with bottles of water and whatever they could find to try and help,” the resident said.
Another neighbour described Morris as the “mother of the neighbourhood,” always ready to lend a hand. “She was always by that bedroom window asking us where we were going or to pick up something from the shop for her. Up to today, I can still hear her screaming—it traumatised everyone in the neighbourhood,” the resident said.
The children are now in safe care, but the family home was completely destroyed, with charred debris scattered across the front yard.
Laventille West MP Kareem Marcelle confirmed he is coordinating assistance for the family through his constituency office.
“My team is on their way to the family to drop off emergency supplies, a temporary food card, and other items. The Disaster Management Unit, along with Councillor Adanna Griffith-Gordon, will visit the family shortly to conduct an assessment and provide further assistance. I have also contacted Vandana Mohit, Minister of the People and Social Development, to assist with social support, and she is on it,” he said, extending condolences and urging residents to offer support to the family and urged residents to offer any support possible.
