Probe 'classified' as Tobago family plagued by fires

Tobago fire officials are deeming as “classified and extremely sensitive” the investigation into four fires which have disrupted the lives of a Castara family within the past five weeks.

So strange are the circumstances that some Facebook users have even ascribed the fires to supernatural causes, while others believe they were deliberately set.

In the most recent incident, the Parlatuvier church where Gloria George and her family were staying was set on fire on Monday night, the day after the rented property in which they were living was also set ablaze.

The family’s trauma began in early December, when the home of one of George’s daughters on the Castara Main Road was almost completely destroyed by fire.

Weeks later, on Christmas Eve, in the throes of preparations, George’s house, a short distance away, was also burnt.

Asst Chief Fire Officer, Tobago Division, David Thomas, told Newsday the fire at the Parlatuvier church occurred between 7 and 8pm.

“The people (family) did not call us at all, but villagers called my phone, and then we realised what was happening.”

He said officials were expected to visit on Wednesday to search for clues.

Thomas said: “We are working on it. But we are not ready to engage the media yet, because it is a situation that we have deemed as classified for the time being.

“It is a challenging situation. It is more than what the ordinary man would think. But we are working on it.”

Asked if fire officials were looking at any people of interest, he added: “There are key players that we have not been able to interview. They are either evading us or they are ducking us.”

Thomas said fire officials are hoping to get “proper leads” before going to the police.

“So we are still in the information-gathering mode, because it is presenting several complications and inconsistencies.

“So we are trying to see all the commonalities. It is a complicated approach, but we just have to do what we have to do and we have to take our time to make sure, because this situation, based on what we have unearthed so far, will have far-reaching consequences.”