A 25-year-old Marabella woman escaped death and four children were left homeless when late night fires destroyed two homes in south Trinidad. Michelle Austin suffered burns to her body and is warded in serious condition at San Fernando General Hospital. According to reports, police received a call about a fire on Monty Street at around 10.30 pm on Tuesday. Police said when they responded, Austin, who lived alone, had already escaped the one bedroom structure and was badly burnt. The house had no electricity or pipe-borne water and damage is estimated at $10,000. Meanwhile, a fire at Latchoos Road, Penal, left nine people, including four children, without shelter.
When the T&T Guardian visited the scene yesterday, Stanley Raymond said everyone had gone to the Penal constituency office to seek assistance. Raymond, grandson of the landlady, was sheltering from rain in neighbour's car. He said he had nowhere to stay for the night. He said shortly after 1 am, one of the tenants returned home, lit a deya to say a prayer and fell asleep. He estimated his personal damage at $17,000, saying he lost equipment which he used to sell at the Marabella Market on weekends. PC Ramcharan of the Penal Police Station is continuing investigations.
