Three homes burned in GT arson attack
House fire in Cruz Lane, George Town, 31 July 2016
(CNS): Police have confirmed that a wooden house caught fire in the early hours of Sunday morning (31 July) on Cruz Lane, George Town. The report was made to 911 at 1:43am and fire fighters were sent to the scene. Police said the Cayman Islands Fire Service had the blaze under control by 2am. According to other sources, three properties were completely burned down and a fourth was badly in damage in what residents believe was an arson attack.
As a result of the fire, two special constables who were part of the first responders team were treated in hospital for smoke inhalation and discharged.
One of the homes destroyed by fire in George Town, 31 July 2016
Although none of the families involved were hurt, local activist Matthew Leslie, who coordinated a response effort on Sunday to help the victims, said the families involved have lost everything and was appealing to the community for supplies and clothes.
Community Affairs Minister Osbourne Bodden posted a message on social media Sunday stating that the “senseless act” could have cost lives, as he thanked Leslie and others who were helping the families.
“The children that nearly lost their lives are safe because of brave actions by persons on the scene,” Bodden stated, as he indicated that the departments under his ministry, including the Department of Children and Family Services and the Needs Assessment Unit would be supporting the family.
Category: Local News
Caymankind
To me it is despicable for people to write into this newspaper making acquisitions about something they know little about. Were they there at the time of the fire? Had they visited the home before the fire to see such conditions are illegal wiring, hazardous conditions. I think not.
Experiencing a house fire is a significant and life threatening event. Young children, teenagers and your adults will bear lingering anguish for decades to come,and may never recover.
I am astounded that strangers will attack this family in a time of person tragedy. Where are the friends, relatives, neighbors, church goers of Cayman when this family needs your help? For an island filled with “God fearing, loving people”, I don’t see much charity in these comments.
Did they ever find who burned the American’s house down not long ago?
Any truth to the marl-road rumour that this was done by a crack-head who was refused further credit?
Having been through losing everything in a fire, I can sympathize with the story of the children and family, but there is more to this story. I am seeing a pattern developing here, Didnt one persons home burn down a couple years ago and now this one?
I must make my comments here as I get more respect from these people than I get from the ones ( upper. Class as they call themselves).
A lot of upper class people are very evil and the only thing that matters to them is MONEY,POWER and PRIVILEGE.
and if you had money, prestige and power. You would be right there too. Bitter because youre a have not? Maybe use that energy to get more education, or work harder at finding a better job. Maybe someday you too, can have money, power and priviledge.
I am a have not as well, But i don’t get bitter or jealous of others success’s.
With that said who are you to assume a person’s mentality? A very contradicting statement right here
Presumably the firefighters were asleep at 1.43am. Tio get their gear on, drive to the site of the fire and have it under control in 17 minutes is pretty impressive.
Asleep on the job? Don’t they work shifts? As far as I know when you on your shift sleeping is the last thing you should be doing!
They work 24 hour shifts. Unless there’s a fire what else do you expect them do?
Hi CNS – could you please provide Mr Leslie’s contact details so that anyone who may want & be able to help will know how to reach him? Thank you.
CNS Note: Matthew has requested people contact him via text message or Whatsapp 917 3027
Pretty much that would be arson. Get a new home built with up to code standards.
Children should not live in that situation. Can’t imagine.
I hope they were able to save their phones and laptops.
Do you know these people? NO? Then keep your rude comments to yourself. The mother is a hardworking person who takes very good care of her 6 yr old daughter and 11 yr old son who are both excellent students at GT Primary School. The extended family including mother, grandmother, various uncles and aunts and cousins all live in the same compound that has various homes for each of the families. They do not have laptops or iphones. Don’t be so callous; the people affected are human beings. And in WHAT situation are you referring to that children should not live. Not everyone can afford a castle in the sky, a $500,000 home or even a $90,000 home. The affected homes were built with planning approval. They are victims of a crime. God forbid you or any of your family or loved ones become the victim of a crime.
why do they think it was arson? I had to go through hell to get my house passed during construction, we all know the electrical inspector who makes your life hell, and half of the Island’s electrical standards are poor. Maybe these houses running off extension cords etc should be condemn.
Likely wasn’t arson but won’t know until they investigate. Most these shanty houses in Georgetown really do need to be condemned…
The ones in George Town too.
To 8.48am & 9.49am Why do you want them condemned;are you hoping to buy up the property on the cheap?
because of living standards. this allows for the cheap labour. People couldn’t come here and work for $6.00 if they had to pay proper rent prices. degrading our society..do you not see the endless crime in the recent years.
How do you know they ran their electricity off of extension cords? How do you know their house wasn’t passed by the appropriate inspectors starting with planning approval? Maybe their residence was not a $300,000 home but there is nothing wrong with having a small home; it was their residence and it was theirs. It wasn’t a “shanty” as you call it. Have some respect and some compassion for the victims. Obviously there is a reason the police think it was arson or they would not have reported it.
how many houses have been chopped up or added on two with out proper oversight and we wonder why this house burnt down. please.
Um, yes it was a shanty and yes half of them do run off extension cords…if it wasn’t arson then it’s only a miracle that it hasn’t caught fire before.
CNS , 29 July 2916 is a very long time away , must be a error .
CNS: Thanks!