(Trinidad Guardian) Close to 100 Pleasantville residents have been left homeless after arsonists firebombed an apartment in a HDC complex yesterday. While the motive behind the attack is yet to be determined, residents believe a dispute between Carlton Lane youths and Balisier Avenue youths is behind the fire.
According to reports, residents of HDC apartment Building 17 heard a ruckus around 3.30 am and saw smoke coming out of apartment four, in which 22-year-old Kurtis Alexander and his family lived. Eyewitnesses claimed they saw two men run up the apartment building stairs, kick down the front door to Alexander’s apartment and throw a molotov cocktail. They ran off and escaped in a car parked on the nearby Mon Repos Bypass.
Alexander, a mason, who lived in the apartment with his mother Sherry Richardson, stepfather Hailee Richardson and six siblings, said the attack took the family by surprise as they did not receive threats. He said his family lost everything in the blaze. “I was not expecting this to happen…I run home and I saw the fire. Everything I had I lose, everything. I have nothing right about now, living room set, fridge stove, television, computer, laptop, everything, clothes everything gone,” he said. Five apartments on the top floor were completely destroyed in the blaze while the other apartments in the 20-apartment building got water and fire damage. The residents said they were grateful their lives were saved.
San Fernando Mayor Marlene Coudray visited the residents and got the City Corporation’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management team. Coudray said the SFCC was dealing with relief and accommodation for the residents, while the HDC was securing housing for the affected residents. She said she would get accommodation for the residents at the Pleasantville Community Complex.
Minister of the People, Dr Glen Ramadharsingh assured that his Ministry would provide immediate assistance for the residents. He described the situation as “sad.”
