Fire ravaged a five-bedroom, two-flat house at 528 `D’ Field, Turkeyen yesterday at around 10:30 am.
It was home for seven persons, including four children.
Shelly Sutton, an occupant of the lower flat who was also the only person at home at the time of the incident, said that she was asleep when she felt the heat and awakened to thick smoke. “I just run out and I see the house on fire,” Sutton related.
Sean Fiffee, 38, owner of the property and who also resides in the lower flat, told this newspaper that the fire started in the upper flat and suspected it to be a case of arson.
“I leave to go to work and then I receive a call that the house was burning…I suspect someone lit the house on fire…” the man said.
He explained that his ex-wife, along with his four children, lived in the upper flat of the building while he resided with his fiancé, Sutton, in the lower flat.
The couple managed to save only two suitcases, filled with clothing while all other belongings were destroyed in the fire. Fiffee estimated a loss of $1.8M, which included damage to his car, which was scorched.
Meanwhile, speaking with a neighbour, this newspaper was informed that several calls were made to the fire service which went unanswered.
The man said that after three calls were made, a group of about 13 individuals formed a bucket brigade in an attempt to put out the blaze. He recalled the fire service arriving on the scene about 45 minutes later, when the fire had already destroyed the upper flat.
Fiffee further stated that he is uncertain of his next move since he has no relatives he can rely on for support during this period.
