Fire guts four houses in Dunbeholden in Portmore, families displaced

A fire of unknown origin today ripped through a yard in the Dunbeholden area of Portmore, St Catherine, destroying four wooden houses and leaving six families homeless.

According to residents, the blaze started at around 12:32 p.m. and spread rapidly through the closely packed structures before firefighters were able to bring it under control.

Several occupants reported hearing an explosion moments before flames erupted from one of the buildings and quickly leapt to neighbouring structures.

One of the victims, Evan Walters, said she was inside her home when the frightening incident unfolded.

“I heard bow and I don't know where the fire come from, so mi run out of the house. I wasn’t able to save nothing,” she told The Gleaner.

Another resident, Kadian Small, who lives next door to the affected yard, said she was asleep when the fire broke out.

“Somebody came to my door and bang to wake me up and said fire deh next door. I was able to throw some water to the side of the house to prevent it from spreading to my house,” she revealed.

Small said it was “the mercy of God” that spared her house from the flames.

Firefighters from Spanish Town and Portmore responded to the incident and managed to contain the blaze, preventing further destruction in the densely populated community.

The Jamaica Fire Brigade has since dispatched investigators to the scene as efforts continue to determine the cause of the fire.

In the meantime, the affected families are appealing for assistance as they try to recover from the sudden loss of their homes and belongings.

- Ruddy Mathison

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