Fire forces man to sleep in car

July 18 will forever be etched in Lionel Martin's memory, as it memorialised the day his house was ravaged by a fire.

To make matters worse, since then, he has been living in his car as he tries to rebuild.

"I was actually out on the road buying goods to export and I got a call that my house was on fire," said Martin. The 10 Miles, Bull Bay, resident, who has lived at the three-bedroom property for more than three decades, works as a repair technician, specialising in the restoration of appliances. He estimated that he suffered a loss of $8 million, losing television sets and other appliances in his workshop, which is located on the property, as well as his own appliances, clothing and furniture.

"Me can't do no work right now. This set me back a lot. When I reach, everything gone, is only the firefighter dem a do cooling-down work," the 60-year-old said. Martin shared that he was working in Denham Town when he received the devastating call that put his thoughts in a tailspin.

"I don't even know what was going through my mind. I couldn't even make myself traumatised by the situation. I had to just keep calm," he told THE STAR. He said that friends help him out when he needs to utilise bathroom facilities, but he is desperate to get fully back on his feet. Now, he is seeking to rebuild his home and his career before the festivities of the Yuletide season.

"That would be great for me right now. I know I lose a lot of valuable stuff but if I really should just sit and think about it, it is going to affect me physically and mentally. I lost every piece of clothing, beds, TV, spare parts in my workshop, everything gone," Martin said. "I get help from a few friends but I am ready to start afresh."

Those willing to assist Lionel Martin in rebuilding his home, may contact him at (876) 538-0759 or visit his GoFundMe campaign at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-lionel-martin-rebuild-after-devastating-...