16-y-o’s future in limbo after fire

The future of a 16-year-old is now in limbo, as a fire, allegedly started by arsonists early Thursday morning, has left her and 21 persons in a state of uncertainty.

The teen, who lost her mother last December, has since been living alone in a tenement yard located in Harris Street in Rose Town.

"I don't know what I am going to do now. I have a 18-year-old sister ... she live nearby... weh me can stay with tonight but she live with her boyfriend and me can't go stay with dem forever," the teen told THE WEEKEND STAR.

Her problems are further compounded. As well as losing pieces furniture and items of clothing , the teen has lost her books and other school materials. She is expected to begin fifth form at a West Kingston-based institution in September and has hopes of attaining two subjects, mathematics and English in the next sitting of the regional examinations.

"A two subject alone me a guh do. I don't know what's next for me," the young girl said with a despondent look on her face.

According to the Constabulary Communications Network, a fire of unknown origin started between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m, and affected five dwellings at premises in Rose Town.

Like the teen, Shakira Murray is finding it difficult to process the effects of the pre-dawn fire. Murray is the mother of four children, the eldest being an 11-year-old who will sit the Primary Exit Profile examinations next year.

"Me not even did deh a the house last night because when rain fall round here, a gully deh behind the yard and the whole place flood out. Is a call me get and hear say the place bun down. Me couldn't even move," the woman said.

Murray noted further that this was her second time being affected by a fire, having lost everything in an arson attack on October 30, 2023.

"A next door me did live, enuh, and last year, me lose everything. Me come over here so bout a week after that fire and now me lose everything. Me lose everything; TV, two bed, stove, two fan and me washing machine," she told the news team.

"Me leave here from Tuesday night cause me a say me nuh wah nothing happen to me. Me get up this morning to come clean out my house and only fi hear say me house bun down. This pass a sack a salt," Murray said.

Those seeking to assist Murray can contact her at 876-205-5426.