Heroic teen saves two siblings, but boy, 3, dies in fire

This story has been updated to include additional details. See updated post here.

A 14-year-old boy is being described as a hero after he saved two of his siblings and his mother from meeting the same fiery death as his brother.

Geeniel George was at her home at Christian Avenue Extension, Windy Hill, Arouca, on January 23, putting her three-year-old son, Jereem, to sleep when she heard a commotion outside.

She went to investigate and found a man who she knew trying to force his way into the house.

The man was upset with George as she had recently ended their two-year-long relationship, and he tried to barge into her home as he argued with her.

She was unable to stop him and ran to a male relative who lived next door to get help.

She returned minutes later to find the house in flames, the man gone, and her other three children aged 14, 11 and 9 standing outside.

Jereem, her youngest, remained trapped inside.

After realising Jereem was not with his siblings, George's maternal instincts kicked in and she tried to run into the burning building to rescue him.

However, her oldest child held her back as she screamed and wailed, knowing there was little she could do to rescue him.

Jereem’s body was found after the fire was extinguished.

Police suspect the fire was a case of arson, and homicide officers have been assigned to the case.

They are searching for the man as they believe he has critical information about the incident.

When Newsday arrived at the home on January 24, George was sitting near the ruins of her red-brick house speaking with fire officials.

Nursing burns to her face and scalp, George said she was thankful her other children survived as the family could have met an even worse fate were it not for her older son.

She described the 14-year-old as a hero saying, without him, all of them could have died.

“My big son saved everybody. I don't know how he so strong. He woke up his sisters and tell them get out the house. Everybody could have died.

“He is a hero! He saved his two sisters and his mother from dying.”

The teen, who sat next to her still wearing his soot-stained clothes, lowered his head as he appeared to struggle with his emotions.

George said she had no idea how he managed to remain “strong” for everyone.

“He holding that weight more than me. He’s the one who held me back because I was running in that room. But he held me back and saved me too.”

“My son is strong boy and the next one is an angel.”

'Jereem is an angel'

Leaning against the walls of a nearby house, as if she was willing it to support her literally and metaphorically, George burst into tears as she remembered Jereem.

She described Jereem as “sweet and loving” and said he was always hugging or kissing someone.

“He used to tell me, ‘Mummy I love you right. I love you forever,’ and then give me kisses all over my face.

“And when I asked him how much he loves me he will say, ‘All, mummy!’ and give me even more kisses!”

She said he was able to build connections with anyone.

“Everybody love him as they see him. He was a very bright and respectable child.

“He will always greet people the proper way. There is nobody I carry him by who didn’t like him. He was always the best-behaved child. He knew right from wrong and wouldn't even litter.”

George recalled Jereem’s love for football as she lamented the experiences she would never be able have with him.

“He will play football with a bottle if he had to. And he could always pass the ball straight to you. “

“It's so unfair. Every parent want to see their child grow up and I not going to get to see that with him.”

George said her son was innocent and never deserved to die such a horrific death, but added she was comforted by knowing he was in heaven.

“He gone by the angels. Where he wouldn't suffer. We have to suffer but he ent going and suffer. He going and watch over his mother. I'm sure about that. He didn't die in vain!”

George, who said she still found some quiet time to pray hours after the incident, believes she will get justice for her son’s death one way or another.

“Justice is always there. If the police can't find him, then God will find him. You have to reap what you sow. I didn't sow this but Jereem will get his revenge. Whether the police do it or not, it will happen.”

George said she had no intention of speaking about the suspect, saying only, “I hope he ready to pay for it because you can't pay for an innocent soul. God is the boss.”

As Newsday was leaving, officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services arrived.

National Family Services will offer counselling to the family while National Social Development Programme officials will help her apply for a home-repair grant and a general-assistance grant to replace furniture, clothing and school supplies.

George was unable to remain composed long enough to speak with the officials, and broke down into tears again after they spoke with her.

When asked if she thought about where she would sleep that night, George looked at the ruins and said, “Sleep? I can’t sleep. But I build my house from scratch before so I will just have to start over again.”

Anyone who wants to help the family can call 283-8232.