ALERT NEIGHBOURS RUSHED IN and saved a sleeping man just before fire destroyed the house he was in, damaged two others and killed a dog in Water Hall Land, Eagle Hall, St Michael this morning.
Twenty-nine-year-old Corey Brewster went to use a nearby friend’s washing machine only to return to find his three-bedroom home, owned by his father Earl Taitt on fire. The other occupant Dwayne Williams had to be awakened, while a third roommate, Renaldo Ifill, was not at home. Brewster said he did not believe the house was insured.
“I tried to run inside but there was smoke and fire, so there wasn’t anywhere to go but back outside,” said the emotional Crystal Cove Employee.
He was unable to say how the fire started but reasoned that it might have been caused by a faulty phone charger.
“Everything lost…[the dog] he died there at the back door,” said Brewster adding that when he came back he did not even hear his beloved Tyga, but later saw the dog’s body.
Neighbour Patrick Bayley was one of the first into the house just after 8 a.m. and he explained that for some reason he delayed giving a relative a ride and that was when he noticed the thick, black smoke from Brewster’s home.
“I came round and I saw it was the house and smoke was coming from it so I shout for Matthew and others for help.
“I ask if they sure that nobody else not in the house. Me and Matthew try to break off the side door… I use my shirt and cover my nose…. He was in such a deep sleep that he bung up… I say the house on fire leh we go, leh we go,” Patrick recounted.
Williams snatched up a basket of clothes and that was all he managed to save.
Next door, the home of Rosalie Bailey, which was rebuilt and turned over to her three months ago received damage, while her daughter Beverley Bailey’s smaller house was destroyed. Beverley is out of the island and her relatives said nothing was saved there.
Rosalie, a 99-year-old cancer survivor, said it was the second fire on the same spot – the first occurring more than 30 years ago when two sisters lived there.
Eighteen firefighters, including leader Divisional officer Ormond Fenty, responded to the blaze. (AC)