Fire destroys five-bedroom Marlie Mount house

Information is that at about 12:30 pm residents noticed smoke billowing from the Vidal Terrace premises occupied by a family of five.

The police and fire departments were immediately notified, however, the blaze was not contained until the arrival of firefighters from the Spanish Town Fire Department who had to make the 12-mile journey to the location as the service vehicle at the Old Harbour Fire Station is said to be out of commission.

Nothing was saved Tashawn Bailey told Old Harbour News afterwards, while the police said there were no injuries.

Bailey, who operates an electronics repair shop along Marlie Mount’s commercial front, was at work when he got the emergency call that the house is on fire. No one was at home at that time, except for one family member, he said. 

“I don’t know where to start,” was how he responded to the dreaded experience.

Everything went up in smoke, including his passports, visas and items such as televisions belonging to customers.

Bailey, also known as ‘Dubbo’ said: “True the shop is small I have to bring some of the big TVs around the house while I source the parts for them."

He said the family, which includes his fiancé and 10-year-old son, will spend some time, at least for now, at the home of a relative in a neighbouring community, while they try to figure out their next move rebuilding from scratch.

An $11 million value has been placed on the property, which was “not insured”.

According to the police “it is suspected that the fire may have been caused as a result of an electronic problem,” but Bailey doubt that to be the case.

“It’s no electrical issue because when I leave there in the mornings I plug out everything,” he told Old Harbour News.

Of immediate concern for the family is to get back on their feet, as they come to terms with the reality of what “I only see on TV” and never thought of the day this would have happened to them.

“What I would really like now is to get back some help… get back some of the documents and get back some of the things,” Bailey appealed.