A fire broke out yesterday morning at an apartment in East La Penitence, where residents managed to contain it until the fire service responded.
The quick action by the neighbours of Lorryne Green limited the damage done by the blaze at the Lot 5 Cocorite Street, East La Penitence range house.
Green, who was at home with her three children when the fire broke out around 10 am, was alerted by neighbours, who noticed thick smoke escaping through the window of a bedroom. They then formed a bucket brigade to combat the flames.
“I was downstairs with my two children and the [eight-months-old] baby was sleeping upstairs. First thing I do is run up for my baby,” Green told this newspaper.
She explained that her 19-year-old sister-in-law, Lashauna DeFreitas, also an occupant of the two bedroom apartment, occupied the room where the fire started. DeFreitas had left the apartment at 8am to travel to Parika.
“I don’t know if she left a cigarette or something but the fire start in she room. The firemen said they find a cigarette on her top bunk but it didn’t light,” Green stated.
The woman explained that only DeFreitas’ belongings were destroyed, including two beds, a television set and two suitcases, valued at approximately $200,000.
She added that the apartment is occupied by herself, her husband, her three children, her sister-in law and also an aunt and uncle.
