Dalton Laing, Gleaner Writer

SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland:

Eight persons, including five children, are now homeless after fire destroyed a 12-apartment concrete house and an upholstery shop on Dalling Street in Savanna-la-Mar on the weekend.

"Me hear the horn blowing and when me get up to find out what was happening why the man was blowing his horn so much, I realise that the house was on fire," said Isola Mullings, a resident.

"So all of us run out of the house with the children, and when we try to get back inside to save some things, we couldn't," she continued.

Loss has been estimated at $10 million. The owner of the premises, Floyd Morgan, was unavailable for an interview. It was, therefore, not ascertained whether the house was insured.

Texting for help

Reports from the Savanna-la-Mar Fire Station are that a fire sergeant received a 'Please Call Me' text message on his cellular phone. When the callwas returned, it was communicated that the house was on fire.

The firefighters sprang into action but the house was engulfed by flames when they arrived.

It is reported that shortly before 4:00 a.m. Saturday, the occupants awoke to the fire which had already consumed most of the building.

Retired nurse, Umeria Bernard, who occupied a section of the dwelling, told The Gleaner she was "half-asleep" when she noticed the curtains at her window were on fire.

"I tried to make a call but the phone line was dead, apparently burnt off, so I hurried outside to save myself," Bernard added.