15 homeless following massive fire

In the early hours of Sunday morning, tragedy struck a section of Gregory Park as a fire left 15 individuals, including 10 children from one family, homeless.

The family lost everything, including back-to-school supplies. Residents say the homes were firebombed, allegedly by members of a gang involved in a feud.

"I was sleeping and I heard a loud noise like somebody jump in the fence, and when I look, I see like outside light up and then mi smell gas and see seh them light the house," said a member of the family. A relative expressed a desire to leave the area.

"I don't want to live here any longer, too much violence. We are victims in this gang war that has been going on for a long time now," the mother told THE STAR.

Member of Parliament for St Catherine East Central, Alando Terrelonge, visited the families and offered relief.

"We will try to, as we always do, our best to assist the affected residents in terms of providing assistance with food and clothing, and it is back-to-school time as well and some of the parents would have started buying school supplies already, so we will assist with this also," said Terrelonge.

The affected families are rallying together, however, they are also appealing for assistance from local organisations and compassionate individuals who can afford to extend a helping hand. Despite the traumatic experience, the children said that their dreams of a brighter future have not been destroyed by the flames.

"This will not stop us from going to school. We know it will be hard, but God will help us to find a way," said one of the affected children. Residents are also using the incident to decry gang violence and call for change.

"We need stronger police presence in the community and the youth need something to do to help them to stay away from the gangs," said a resident who was able to save most of his belongings.