Sea Lots houses destroyed by fire

Dozens of Sea Lots residents, including young children, were rendered homeless last night as a fire razed several houses in the close-knit and densely-populated community.

The fire broke out at about 6.15 pm and the blaze was quelled about 25 minutes later. Concerned residents stood on the Beetham Highway and watched and awaited word. Many were concerned where their neighbours would sleep for the night.

“It have real people homeless here tonight,” a teenaged boy told Newsday. One resident said the fire destroyed between six to ten houses.

Newsday saw four fire appliances on the scene as fire officers negotiated the tight, dark alleyways to reach the blaze. Several members of the Defence Force were on foot patrol.

A TTEC truck arrived, presumably to check on the area’s electricity supply.

Another man told Newsday the affected residents, approximately 45 of them, had lived there for about 25 years. He described the homes as board houses, some being two-storeys high.