Yolanda Cordis, the only survivor in the Drysdale Street, Charlestown fire that had claimed four lives including her two children two weeks ago, passed away on Friday night in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Hospital, her relatives said yesterday.
Her father, Derick Norton, stated that he received a call after 8 pm on Friday from hospital officials informing him that his daughter had died. The woman’s condition took a turn for the worse on Friday and doctors had informed her father that she had less than a 50 per cent chance of surviving, since she had sustained third degree burns.
Norton also said that the police had informed him that they believed the fire was caused by a pot that was left unattended on the stove in the kitchen. However, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle is still to state the exact cause of the fire. A post-mortem examination will be performed on the remains of Cordis tomorrow.
Cordis was pulled from the burning building and rushed to the hospital by policemen who responded to a call when fire engulfed the building.
Her cousin, Abiola Cort, and Abiola’s son, Justin Kellman, also perished in the fire.
A source who was involved in rescuing the victims said that grills on the building prevented them from entering. The source also said that it took time for them to cut the grill and rescue the occupants of the house.
The house, which was heavily grilled, was designed in such a way that the only entry or exit point for the top flat was the front veranda door, next to the kitchen.
Cordis leaves to mourn her father and three siblings.
