Fire victim eulogised as 'loyal' friend

San Fernando Central Secondary School (ModSec) student Yayu Zhu, who suffered fatal burns following a fire which destroyed her family's home and business on September 19, was remembered as a “bubbly, generous young woman” at her funeral service yesterday.

Yayu, also known as Ami, lived with her parents at Sutton Street, San Fernando, where they owned and operated the Little Busy Corner Chinese Restaurant.

At 3 am, her father Dongcong Zhu saw smoke emanating from an upstairs bedroom and alerted family members.

Yayu, an only child, was trapped inside the bedroom, and suffered third degree burns to her arms and legs.

She was being treated in the intensive care unit at the San Fernando General Hospital but succumbed to her injuries on September 25.

Yesterday, her family and school friends were inconsolable. The funeral service, which took place at Belgrove’s Funeral Home, Coffee Street, San Fernando, was conducted in both Chinese and English.

One friend marvelled at Yayu's academic excellence. She was also a member of the Red Cross and assisted homeless and orphaned children at the Hope Centre Home for Children.

“Her smile and laughter was infectious,” another classmate said, adding, “She was also a loyal and true friend.”