By Sue-Ann Wayow
THREE children, ages 17, six and three, were burnt to death in an early morning fire in Maraval on Monday.
Emergency response personnel are still at the scene at Rookery Nook and an investigation will be launched into the cause of the fire.
Chief Fire Officer Arnold Bristo speaking to the media at the site of the building that is completely destroyed after fire officers received a “troubled call” around 7.36 am with news of a fire behind the KFC outlet in Maraval.
Fire officers from the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services (TTFS) headquarters in Port-of-Spain rushed to the scene led by Assistant Chief Fire Officer Smith to find the building ablaze.
Upon entering, they found the burnt bodies of the children. The parents were saved due to the response of other residents.
Bristo said, “Thank God for the assistance of neighbours and the local doubles vendor who was able to render immediate assistance upon hearing the cry of the people, of the children in the building…We want to extend heartfelt thanks to the members of the community.”
He offered condolences to the family adding that “This is not something people tend to deal with easily.”
The CFO said there were no challenges in reaching the area by the TTFS and one fire officer suffered minor injuries and was being cared for.
Bristo is advising that buildings be equipped with smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and escape routes in the event of an emergency.
“Sometimes we take the time in securing ourselves that we do not take the time to ensure that if an incident like this occurs, we can get out safely,” he said.
