Elderly fire victim passes on

Noel Marshall, the blind 98-year-old fire victim, has died.

On March 5, the elderly man was pulled from his burning home in Bishop Land, Two Mile Hill, St Michael, by neighbour Anderson Browne, with help from his son Jade.

All three men received burns, with Marshall and Anderson suffering the worst injuries.

Jade, who was home on medical leave, confirmed that Marshall had died.

“Yes, Mr Marshall passed away. We are still processing everything and waiting to hear any information about the funeral,” he said yesterday.

The young man said he and his father moved on instinct that fateful day and, despite the eventual death of Marshall, he would do it again. His family assisted Marshall by providing meals for him and cleaning the area, as he lived alone and did not have relatives nearby.

“I knew him my whole life, so it was natural. You do what needs to be done. When my dad went in, I followed him on instinct.

“There’s been quite a few people who told me I never should have done it but at the end of the day, even though he passed away, it would have been worse to be left in that fire,” he said.

Jade said he was saddened by Marshall’s death but happy he was able to live long enough to see his family one last time.

“At least he had some closure with his family, who came to the hospital to see him. He was responsive until the end,” he said.

As for Anderson, Jade said his father was doing well.

“He’s still in the hospital but he is doing better. He had to undergo surgery and he has another one scheduled but he’s showing signs of recovery. I believe he is on the road to recovery.” (CA)