Families displaced after Brewster’s Road blaze razes three houses

A Friday afternoon fire in the Brewster’s Road area of President Kennedy Drive, St Michael, has left several families displaced after three homes were damaged — two of them completely destroyed.

When Barbados TODAY arrived at the scene, firefighters were still battling the blaze to prevent it from spreading further into the community.

Divisional Officer Tremelle Perch of the Barbados Fire Service said the department received the emergency call around 12:55 p.m. and responded with three water tenders — two from the Bridgetown station and one from Arch Hall.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation. “We will work along with the police to see what the cause of the fire is,” he added.

Three structures were affected — two were completely gutted, and one sustained minor damage.

“There were five inhabitants in one house, two in the other [at the time], and I think a gentleman in the third house that was slightly damaged,” Perch said. “But they’re all accounted for.”

He noted that firefighters were able to quickly access a nearby hydrant, which significantly aided the containment efforts.

St Michael West MP Chris Gibbs also visited the scene and spoke with the affected residents, expressing particular concern for the children.

“One home had four children and the other had two,” he said. “One of the things I dread most when I get these calls is hearing that children are involved. My immediate concern was to find accommodations.”
He confirmed that temporary housing had already been arranged for one family, with efforts underway to assist the second.

Additional government support is being mobilised.