Jamaica: A woman reportedly died due to a house fire in Lionel Town, Clarendon, on Saturday. The dead was an 81-year-old identified as Fredrica Williams of Poinciana Terrace in Lionel Town.
After the investigation, the police revealed that the cause of fire was a candle that was lit to eliminate darkness.
It is to be noted that till now several southern communities crosswise the central parish are still affected and are suffering from no electricity as the Jamaica was hit by then category-4 storm Hurricane Beryl. Even it has passed still the islands is suffering and is on the path of recovery.
Also, Superintendent Horace Thomas, head of the Clarendon Fire Division, during this month’s sitting of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation, warned the residents for not using the candles to lighten homes.
This advice came after three families in the area lost their houses to fires after the passage of the hurricane. The locals have no option but to illuminate houses with candles, as the electricity department has still not been able to provide the electricity to the localities.
The police authorities shared that they received the call from the locals at around 12:46 AM about the house catching the fire. The patrol team immediately responded to the calls and reached the site, where they witnessed that a four-bedroom was on fire in Poincianna Terrace. The property on fire is in the Lionel Town Housing Scheme.
As the police officials arrived, they were informed by the people that one elderly lady that resides here, is still inside the house. Later, the officials found out that the fire was started by the candle that was lit in the room by the deceased, 81-year-old Fredrica Williams.
The May Pen Fire Department was also informed, and they reached the site of the incident. The team tried to extinguish the fire, and after it cooled down, the charred remains of the elderly woman were found inside her room and were taken to the hospital, where she was declared dead.
The value of the damage has not yet been determined.
