Fire In Jamaican Slum Leaves 50 People Homeless
A female firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation but no one else was hurt in the Friday evening fire in Canterbury, a slum in the northwestern resort town.
The fire started in one shack and spread to six other buildings, including a small concrete-block apartment building, Fire Chief Astly Dryden said. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Firefighters had trouble reaching the blaze because their truck couldn't pass on the rough dirt road leading up to the community, Dryden said.
They had to abandon the truck and run toward the flames, dragging the fire hose. Even then, they had to extinguish the flames from a distance because the hose couldn't reach all the way.
``I heard persons shouting that there was a fire and before I knew it, the room that I occupied was engulfed in flames,'' said Linda Gooden, 35. ``I could only grab a few items of clothes before running from the house.''
Most of the victims spent Friday night in a temporary shelter set up in a community center, while others stayed with friends.
Montego Bay Mayor Noel Donaldson said the victims would receive assistance, but he didn't elaborate.
Fires have raged through Canterbury before. Many of the more than 400 dwellings have illegal electrical wiring.
In April, three houses were destroyed in a fire that started when a 6-year-old boy started playing with matches.