Old Harbour fire victim seeks help to rise from the ashes

Hours earlier she was among those who ring in 2022 with optimism as her fortunes were slowly turning favourably in the last quarter of a difficult year. Her anticipated bright start to new beginnings crashed before launching into bigger and better things when her three-bedroom board dwelling was burnt to the ground. Aside from the clothes they had on at the time the family of six saved nothing, as the raging fire ripped through the wooden structure within minutes.

• New Year’s Day fire leaves Old Harbour family without a home

Fortunately no lives were lost, which Reid now counts as a blessing.

The family which includes three children under the age of seven is hoping to rise from the ashes and get back to normal as quickly as possible.

“Once we get everything,” said Reid’s son Earl Hamilton “in space of one week we can get it (rebuilt house) done. We just want material a drop and the house can go up. Mi have friends who can easily come give wi a helping hand.”

A day after the disaster Hamilton and Reid spoke to Old Harbour News during which they appealed for help.

A GoFundMe account has been established to raise urgently needed funds. Firefighters estimate the value of the damage at $1.5 million.

Among the items destroyed, according to Reid, are six beds and mattresses, dressers, chest of drawers, televisions, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, refrigerators, a stove, a washing machine, other appliances and numerous items of clothing.

Her eldest son has given up his small dwelling nearby to facilitate his mother, younger siblings, little nieces and nephews. It’s an inconvenience his brother will only able to bear for a short while, said Hamilton, 26.

“You si the earlier we can get the support the better. We plan to work night and day to get back her house up and running so nobody no affi get inconvenience for too long during the process,” said Hamilton, who also live just a few metres away in the same surrounding.

His mother said she has been living at the current location for the last five years. And it took her many more years, while raising five children, to get to where she was before disaster struck. Yet the NWSMA street sweeper is looking ahead with great hope.

“Mi stop question God right now,” declared the 49-year-old mother and native of the community.

“Well mi naa go lie, mi always see it pon TV and never know it would a come a fi wi foot,” added her son.

Reid said her current circumstance has taught her a valuable lesson. “I wouldn’t wish this on nobody,” she told Old Harbour News.
 

Editor’s Note: If you want to help Shirley Reid call 8762897758. Persons can also make direct deposit to Earl Hamilton’s bank account at Jamaica National Bank, account number 2094136159.