[UPDATED] Maraval fire victims to get HDC home

AFTER losing three of their children and all their valuables in a fire at their Rookery Nook, Maraval home on Monday, the Burke family will receive the keys to a new home soon.

Newsday was told that after a meeting between the Minister of Social Development and Family Services Donna Cox and the grieving mother Jenille Rodriguez, on Wednesday, a decision was made to give the family an HDC home at Vieux Forte, St James, through the emergency housing programme.

Ezekiel, 17, Faith, six, and Kayden Burke, three, died trying to escape the house after the fire broke out around 7.30 am.

Their parents, Troy Burke and Rodriguez, were not home when the fire started.

Their father was injured trying to get into the burning house to free them.

Two daughters, 13 and 15, escaped. Rodriguez told Newsday on Wednesday she is being strong for the two girls, who were discharged from the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex on Thursday. Newsday understands they are doing well.

In a release, Cox said, "The ministry is aware of the emotional and financial challenges which may be experienced in dealing with the tragic and sudden loss of the three children and the fact that the two surviving children now have to cope with the loss of their siblings."

Cox said she would assist the Burke/Rodriguez family to restore a sense of normality. Part of the assistance includes a $7,000 funeral grant for each child, a $1,000 clothing grant for each family member, school supplies grant –$700 for primary-school level and $1,000 for secondary-school level.

The ministry will also help the family with a $10,000 grant to replace furniture and appliances, temporary food support and counselling and psychosocial support.

Also at the meeting was assistant director of the National Family Services division Kathleen Sarkar.

Rodriguez could not be reached for comment on Thursday but one relative said after news spread of the new HDC house for the family, people have been calling offering to furnish the home.

The Rodriguez family has not been communicating with the media but has been talking with Newsday reporter Elizabeth Gonzales, who has close ties with the family.

Also on Thursday, Newsday found flowers and candles in memory of Ezekiel, Faith and Kayden that had been left by well-wishers near the burnt remains of the Burke family's former home at Rookery Nook, Maraval.

Fire officials are continuing investigations.

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by an electrical fault.

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

After losing three of their children and all their valuables in a fire at their Rookery Nook, Maraval home on Monday, the Burke family will receive the keys to a new home soon.

Newsday was told that after a meeting between the Minister of Social Development and Family Services Donna Cox and the grieving mother Jenille Rodriguez, on Wednesday, a decision was made to give the family an HDC home at Vieux Forte, St James, through the emergency housing programme,

Ezekiel, 17, Faith, six, and Kayden Burke, three, died trying to escape the house after the fire broke out around 7.30 am.

Their parents, Troy Burke and Rodriguez, were not home when the fire started.

Their father was injured trying to get into the burning house to free them.

Two daughters, 13 and 15, escaped. Rodriguez told Newsday on Wednesday she is being strong for the two girls, who are being monitored at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex

She could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by an electrical fault. Fire officials are continuing investigations.