One day after a fire destroyed their homes, several residents of Africa Road, Laventille, expressed gratitude to good samaritans and Port-of-Spain South MP Keith Scotland, SC, for assisting them.
The fire, which began just before 9 am on Tuesday, destroyed three homes and damaged two other structures on the steep Laventille hill. Residents did not have a chance to salvage any of their belongings as neighbours formed a bucket brigade to prevent the fire from spreading.
The survivors received mattresses from the San Juan/ Laventille Regional Corporation’s Disaster Relief Unit on Tuesday night and met with Scotland at his Picadilly Street constituency office yesterday afternoon.
After the meeting, Scotland said the joint intervention of his office and the Ministry of Housing led to the families being temporarily accommodated within Port-of-Spain.
He said foodstuff and vouchers were provided but additional support is needed. He appealed to the private sector to offer assistance as the affected residents lost furniture and appliances.
“I can’t do it on my own and on their behalf as their representative and MP, I am asking for good samaritans and corporate citizens to be able to come forward and assist them. I cannot impress enough how grateful I am that no one was injured or died from such an incident,” he said
Scotland said his office will be providing schoolbooks and stationery to the children who lost their school supplies in the fire as he saw the continued education of the affected children as particularly important even amid their traumatic loss.
One of the affected residents, Giselle Estrada, said she was heartened by the support and praised those who offered to help them.
“It wasn’t a nice thing for my kids to come home from school and see our house burnt to the ground, but I know this news here will make them much happier,” she said.
The residents also received donations of bedsheets and curtains from a private benefactor.
