By Keri McClean
Residents of Third Avenue, Long Gap, Grazettes, St. Michael were shocked yesterday afternoon when the home and business owned by Richard Clarke of that same address was completely destroyed by fire. At the time of the fire, the house was occupied by Clarke's girlfriend and 16-year old daughter. They reported having seen a fan sparking fiercely and then immediately rushing out of the building to the safety of the outdoors.
By the time Clarke was notified of the fire, the building comprising a home, a retail shop and a gym, was completely engulfed in flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the blaze, but none of Clarke's possessions could be salvaged.
In addition to his home, Clarke had temporarily lost his means of income for the shop adjoining the property was the sole means by which he maintained his livelihood. However, despite this tragedy Clarke remained in reasonably good spirits.
He told the Barbados Advocate that despite his economic loss, which at the time he was unable to ascertain accurately, his major concern was that his girlfriend and daughter had escaped unharmed. He further stated that he would be looking to rebuild his operation as quickly as possible and saw this fire as merely a temporary setback.
Officials from the fire department were unable to disclose the exact cause of the fire, but stated that a full investigation would be carried out. |