Kevin Phillips, the owner of the vulcanizing shop at the corner of D’Urban and George streets, Werk-en-Rust, has identified the men who started the fire that gutted his home and business in the wee hours of last Thursday
The fire, which also destroyed another house and damaged the western side of Elegance Jewellery and Pawn Shop, was started around 1 am by two men, who were recorded by nearby security cameras.
The security footage, which was seen by this newspaper, shows two persons entering through a walkway in Phillips’ yard. Moments pass before a fire starts at the tires under the step and a man, who Phillip says was sleeping in a hammock in the back, runs out and stops by the fire before running out of the view of the camera.
Phillips said that he recognised the two men who entered. He said that the men were customers who would occasionally go to the shop. He said that he has known them for years and that he did not have any disputes with them. Phillips said that the footage was taken to the police and he is hoping that the men will face the consequences after the police is done with their investigations.
In the meanwhile, the business owner said he is seeking the public’s help to rebuild his operations. “We really need help because this is the ‘corona’ time and we’re homeless right now, basically homeless right now,” Phillips, 30, told this newspaper yesterday as he pleaded for help to rebuild.
He said that since the fire he has been staying at a friend’s home on D’Urban Street.
His sister, Melisa Dazzell, who lived with him, is staying with other family members, while he could not account for the several Venezuelan nationals who rented one of the buildings that was destroyed by the fire.
Phillips said that they would like to return to their home. For this reason they are seeking donations to rebuild their home. Phillips explained that he is currently clearing debris so that he can rebuild a small shelter for himself. He said that he would also like to get back to work.
According to Phillips, the losses are in the millions. Phillips and his sister are calling on persons who want to help him restart his business to make donations to him.
He explained that persons can find him at the site of the fire, where he is currently working to clear the area with help. Phillips said that he is hoping that the government will also render some assistance with so that he can rebuild a home at the location, where he has lived for over three years.
According to Phillips, on the morning of the fire, he was sleeping when he was awakened by shouts of fire. He said that he first jumped out of the window by his bedroom but he had to crawl back inside because the fire was just below his window. He added that after exiting the house he tried to return inside but the flames had already reached his room and other parts of the building and there was also too much smoke. “I had to feel around with my eye closed for a bunch of keys. I had money in my room but I feel around and couldn’t find it. It burn in the fire,” Phillips explained.
The shop-owner said that during the fire persons came out to see what had been happening but there was no bucket brigade of any sort. He added that “People just come to see your place burn down. Nobody ain’t come to help.” He said that the fire service showed up but the buildings were already on fire by then. He added that his losses are in the millions. The man said that he cleared a barrel with parts for the electric motorbikes he sells just weeks before the fire. He added that he bought electric vehicles through credit and they were destroyed by the fire. He still has to pay for the vehicles. The man also told this newspaper that he was in the process of purchasing the house and he was given time to raise the money for his first payment.
