94-y-o dies in mystery blaze

A deep sense of shock and heartbreak hangs over the community of March Pen Road in Spanish Town, St Catherine, following the death of 94-year-old Olganese Chambers-Taylor, affectionately known as 'Mama' or 'Ms Taylor'.

Her charred remains were discovered inside her home on Saturday after a fire engulfed the property in which she lived, leaving residents and investigators with unanswered questions about what transpired that day. About 12:45 p.m., residents spotted smoke rising from Chambers-Taylor's home and promptly alerted the police and fire department. Once the flames were finally doused, responders found Chambers-Taylor's body in a praying position in the living room. Charmaine Mack lived across the road from Chambers-Taylor for more than 30 years, and often helped care for the senior. Like other residents, she was at a loss as to what may have caused the fire, some believing that it was intentionally set.

"Mama bun up...something nuh add up," Mack said, her voice heavy with grief. She remembered vividly that she had been cooking fish that day, planning to bring over a plate for her elderly neighbour.

"Mama nuh ready fi dead yet," she added sadly.

"She nuh deserve dah death yah," lamented Mack. "When mi see how her body set like she was praying, it break mi heart."

Despite her advanced age, residents said that Chambers-Taylor remained fiercely independent. Using a walker to move around, she maintained close ties with her niece, a nurse who visited regularly to check on her well-being. Known for her forgiving nature, they said the senior citizen "loved people", and was always eager to see everyone was alright, even when she was not at her best.

Another neighbour, Jerry Smith, who has rented a section of Chambers-Taylor's home since 2019, said his child was in another part of the house during the incident.

"Nobody cya talk is who was inside there with Mama. Nobody nuh know nothing," he said. THE STAR was unable to speak with any members of Chambers-Taylor's family.

Even in the midst of the tragedy, the residents remembered the elder for her kindness and great sense of humour. One cherished memory involves Mack, who recalled serving her pork despite her claim that she did not eat it. She related how she enjoyed the meal without a care in the world.

Police say investigators from the St Catherine South Criminal Investigation Branch are still probing the circumstances surrounding the fire.