‘Obeah candle’ blamed for Central Kingston fire

A candle believed to be used for obeah rituals is being blamed for a devastating fire that tore through sections of Ladd Lane and Fleet Street in downtown Kingston yesterday, leaving at least 10 families homeless.

Residents said the fire began in a yard where the burning of 'special candles' frequently. However, at press time last night, firefighters were yet to determine the cause of the blaze. Eyewitnesses say the fire started after 3 p.m., quickly spreading to nearby homes. The houses on Ladd Lane are mostly made of wood, making them easy fuel for the flames. As the flames raged, thick black smoke blanketed the area, stinging the eyes and making it difficult to breathe. Children were seen coughing and using water dripping from the fire truck's hose to wash their faces. The situation was worsened by fires burning elsewhere across the city. Reports confirmed that firefighters were stretched thin, responding to blazes at Riverton City and three separate fires in Southside. One unit was even called away to tackle a fire up in the hills.

As the responders tried to control the flames, a teenage boy wept openly as he walked with a female relative. His peers tried to comfort him but there were no words kind enough to soothe his sorrow. Other persons appeared confused and disoriented as they watched in a daze as their life savings went up in smoke.

While the majority of the residents tried to save what they could or assist the firefighters in containing the fierce blaze, a few dishonest persons were observed stealing from the victims.

"Mi want back mi chair, uno too crawny and tief. Mi just put down mi tings and mi move it. Unno nuh have no heart," a woman screamed. Among the fire victims is Kareen. As she held on to Deputy Superintendent of Police Stacy-Ann Waldron-Jackson for support, she said she recently underwent surgery and was unable to save anything of value yesterday.

"I just underwent an operation so while my husband was trying to out the fire I just have to draw myself out. I coudn't even save a mattress because I was in a lot of pain. A young man pull out a barrel for me but that only contains curtain and sheet and I have a suitcase with shirt. Everything else gone," she said.

Waldron-Jackson, who, along with her team has frequently patrolled the space and was familiar with the majority of the displaced community members, described the incident as devastating.

"Just recently we were here commending the community and to see this now is really sad. We are weeping with them and we are here to support them," the senior cop said.

Member of Parliament for Kingston Central, Donovan Williams, said that at first glance, at least 10 houses was completely destroyed.

"It is a lot of damage and an entire block between Fleet Street and Ladd Lane [is gone]. We are trying to ascertain the persons who have suffered damage. We have teams on the ground working but it's early days. I have already alerted some of the rapid response agencies, and, of course, we will be doing what we can from the constituency level to at least ease the initial burden, and then we take it from there," Williams said.