AN EARLY MORNING FIRE, thought to be the result of a burglary and arson attempt, was quickly brought under control, thanks to the action of neighbours.
Andy Williams, who lives at Hoyte’s Terrace, where the incident occurred yesterday, said thankfully he was on hand to assist other neighbours in battling the blaze and keeping it confined to the bedroom where it started.
Williams said they sprang into action with their garden hoses and doused the fire, which occurred between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., before the Barbados Fire Service arrived.
In giving his account of the incident, Williams said he saw a man entering the back of the residence, and presumed it was someone who lived at the house, but later learned that he was not.
“About ten minutes after, we saw smoke in the house,” Williams said.
A couple who live in the neighbourhood, but did not want to be identified, said they were told that someone tampered with the back door and pried it open, then set the house afire.
The female occupant said she left home a short time before and was alerted that the house next door was on fire and returned home to check on their property.
The couple said they were devastated by the incident, but thankful no one was at home or injured.
Police public relations officer Inspector David Welch said a fire of suspicious origin damaged one bedroom and caused smoke damage to the entire house occupied by 44-year-old Ian Gill, his wife Shanelle and their daughter.
Gill said he would reserve his statement for the Royal Barbados Police Force.
Station officer Henderson Patrick of the Barbados Fire Service responded to the blaze with four officers from the Probyn Street headquarters.
The house is insured. (LK)
