KHAMAL GEORGES
Fire officials are trying to determine the cause of a blaze that occurred shortly before 2 pm on Tuesday (29 December 2020) afternoon in downtown Port-of-Spain.
Smoke was seen billowing from an area near to the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception.
Two young Venezuelan children and their mother reportedly were trapped inside an apartment near to where the blaze occurred, according to a relative.
Ronniel Eduardo Mora Trillo pleaded with police officers to allow him through the barriers to save them, as he said they were being choked by the smoke.
A fire official later confirmed that the family members were rescued.
The extent of the damage remains unclear, but officials at the scene say it occurred at an apartment building. One man, Angelo Joseph, 65, lamented that he has lost all his belongings inside. No fatalities or injuries have been reported.
Firefighters and police officers at the scene have been pleading with residents and onlookers to vacate the area.
Officers at the scene say they are there to control the crowds.