Pensioner, man injured in Two Mile Hill blaze

A pensioner and another St Michael man were hospitalised with burns after a mid-day fire destroyed a two-bedroom wooden house at Bishops Land, Two Mile Hill, on Wednesday.

Despite swift action by neighbours and firefighters, nothing could be saved after the fire, which broke out shortly after 12 p.m., quickly consumed the home of Noel Owen Marshall, who is in his 90s.

Ten firefighters from the Bridgetown and Worthing stations, led by Divisional Fire Officer Tremell Perch and Station Officer Bourne, responded. The fire, which also damaged a house next door, was tackled using two water tenders and a tanker. 

Neighbours acted with speed as the situation unfolded. Dora, who was inside her own home when she noticed smoke, described a scene of immediate panic that quickly turned into a coordinated rescue effort.

“Everybody worked together as one,” Dora said. According to residents on the scene, a resident named Andy Brown is being credited with saving Marshall’s life.

Station Officer Brown reportedly forced his way into the burning structure, knocking down a fence to reach the elderly occupant before the home became fully engulfed.

“If it wasn’t for Andy, he would have burned in the house,” Dora added. Neighbours assisted in moving Marshall to a safe location, where he was treated by arriving ambulance personnel before being transported to hospital. While Marshall reportedly sustained significant burns, community members are holding on to hope for his recovery.

Pamela Lashley, who lives next door, arrived shortly after receiving a frantic call from her sister. While her property sustained exterior damage — including cracked windows, melted wiring, and damage to the eaves — she expressed relief that her house was spared from total destruction.

“I am very glad. I give God thanks that it wasn’t anything worse,” Lashley said, noting her concern for her elderly neighbour. “I am sorry for my neighbour… I am hoping and praying that he pulls through this.”

Investigations into the cause of the blaze are ongoing.