[UPDATED] Pensioner dies in fire in Pleasantville home

A 75-year-old pensioner from Blitz Village, Pleasantville, San Fernando died in a fire that completely destroyed his wooden home early on November 23.

The house, which was not wired for electricity, is believed to have caught fire from a candle left unattended, police said.

Residents were alerted shortly before 6 am when the fire broke out and notified both police and fire officers.

Acting FSO Barnett and his team from the Mon Repos fire station (south headquarters) successfully contained the flames, preventing them from spreading to nearby homes. However, Kenneth "Hawkeye" Lewis' house and all its contents were lost in the blaze.

Fire officers found Lewis' body inside the burned structure. He lived alone.

A neighbour said he last saw Lewis alive around 10 pm on November 22 when he dropped off dinner.

PCs Jogie and Superville, of the Mon Repos police station, were among the first responders.

DMO Dr Balkissoon ordered the body to be taken to the mortuary of the San Fernando General Hospital pending an autopsy.

Relatives at the scene said Lewis, originally from Princes Town, had lived in Pleasantville for decades.

He was the father of a woman who lives in the US.

Despite his age, one of his nieces described him as active.

"We were not close when we were growing up, but we got to know him in his older years. He was a hot foot. He was very active, although he was old. He always lived here alone, and we heard about his daughter abroad, but we do not know her," a niece told Newsday.

Residents said in the 1980s, he was active in Carnival celebrations and often portrayed as a king gorilla.

His relatives, however, could not confirm if he played the Carnival character back them.

San Fernando mayor Robert Parris, who is also the councillor for Pleasantville, offered condolences to the bereaved family. He told reporters at Skinner Park, San Fernando, that from what he was told, the pensioner played a traditional mas character in Carnival in San Fernando.

"From the information I have, the circumstances of his death are quite tragic. To his family and friends, I express condolences on behalf of the city and Pleasantville."

San Fernando East MP Brian Manning said he did not know Lewis personally and offered condolences to the bereaved family.

He added, "It is a loss to the cultural arts community of San Fernando. Many of us would have grown up seeing him in his gorilla costume at various events. People may not know him by face or name but know of his involvement in everything."

"The San Fernando East constituency will do all we can to assist his family in this difficult time."

Investigations are ongoing.

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

A 75-year-old pensioner from Blitz Village, Pleasantville, San Fernando died in a fire that completely destroyed his wooden home early on November 23.

The house, which was not wired for electricity, is believed to have caught fire from a candle left unattended, police said.

Residents were alerted shortly before 6 am when the fire broke out and notified both police and fire officers.

Acting FSO Barnett and his team from the Mon Repos Fire Station (south headquarters) successfully contained the flames, preventing them from spreading to nearby homes. However, Kenneth "Hawkeye" Lewis' house and all its contents were lost in the blaze.

Fire officers found Lewis' body inside the burned structure. He lived alone.

A neighbour said he last saw Lewis alive around 10 pm on November 22 when he dropped off dinner.

PCs Jogie and Superville, of the Mon Repos Police Station, were among the first responders.

DMO Dr Balkissoon ordered the body to be taken to the mortuary of the San Fernando General Hospital pending an autopsy.

Investigations are ongoing.