Twice unlucky - Woman becomes fire victim for a second time

November 29, 2018
Andre Williams photo This taxi that was burnt in the blaze was being operated by Claudia Grant's son, Romario Cornwall.
Andre Williams photo Claudia Grant points at the rubble that was left after the fire in Bell Rock.
1
2

After losing everything she owned in a fire two years ago, a mother of seven is again homeless after being burnt out yesterday morning when armed thugs killed one man and then firebombed homes in Bell Rock, located off Olympic Way, St Andrew.

Information reaching THE STAR is that more than 30 persons, including children, are now homeless.

The deceased man has since been identified as Andrew McLean, otherwise called 'Peter' and 'Killa'.

Fire victim Claudia Grant, just three days shy of the second anniversary of her first fire experience, was forced to relive it again.

"This is my second fire. On December 1, 2016, I was burnt out when I was living at 80 Spanish Town Road. I moved to this location, trying to build back from then, and now this," Grant told THE STAR.

Her son, Romario Cornwall, a taxi driver, who was at home at the time of the incident, contacted her to give her the disturbing news.

He, too, was also dealt a major blow after a taxi he operated for someone was totalled in the blaze.

"It was my son who called because he was the only one that was here. He told me that the place was engulfed and everything flat and somebody dead," Grant said.

 

I WAS REBUILDING

 

Now Grant will have to rebuild a second time.

"I was rebuilding. I took time to buy my stove, television, other household items and appliance, and now this. I don't know what else to say. A just two years ago mi get burn out, almost the same day. I have to just move on and try again. I am not deterred by this. I was throwing a little partner fi buy a little fridge and washing machine, and now this again," said the mother of five boys and two girls.

Kingston Mayor Delroy Williams, who also serves as the councillor responsible for the Seivwright Gardens division in which the Bell Rock community is situated, was on hand, trying to comfort the residents.

"I have been here from 3 a.m. or thereabout. This area known as Bell Rock in the Seivwright Gardens division has been totally destroyed. I was told that approximately 17 rooms, 27 persons have been affected. Twelve of them are children. The police are here and are continuing their investigation. The residents are here and trying to clean up. Our aim is to try and get back as many of those affected back to normalcy," Williams said.

 

Other News Stories