The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Staff Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net FIRE victims yesterday condemned politicians for exploiting their tragedy for political gain. Bain and Grants Town residents affected by the blaze that killed a man and left two children in hospital, explained that party candidates often offer victims of various tragedies charitable donations in a shallow attempt to score political mileage. Despite numerous promises of relief aid from major political parties, Audric Colebrook, affected resident and cousin of the deceased, said that no action from the Free National Movement or Progressive Liberal Party was taken. Yesterday, a volunteer team jointly coordinated by Bain and Grants Town Urban Renewal and St Andrews Presbyterian Kirk began reconstruction efforts. Mr Colebrooke, 40, said: "It's all about Saxons and the Valley Boys, the PLP and the FNM. We tired of that stigma they keep throwing on us. If you say you for the PLP or FNM and you here to help, you don't have to bring no t-shirt to do that. "If you doing it from your heart, you'd come just like an ordinary citizen and do what you have to do." Mr Colebrook added: "These [volunteers] came with their own strength, their own will power, their own feelings for how the people suffering and they're just doing it." Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at Heritage Drive off Baillou Hill Road shortly after 1am last week Tuesday. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze and rescue the two children inside, however, the home and its contents were completely destroyed. The body of 36-year-old Rebiro Colebrooke was burnt beyond recognition, according to fire services. The 15-year-old boy suffered severe burns to eight per cent of his body, including his hand, neck and face, and the 11-year-old girl is recovering from smoke inhalation. The compound housed 11 people, six of whom were said to be young children. Esther Colebrook, 69, said: "People coming taping up and saying what they're going to do but ain't nobody doing nothing. I really want the light on, a lot of small children in the house. Some of my furniture gone, all my curtains burned up." "But through all things you have to give Him thanks," she added. Mr Colebrook said that telephone and cable services were restored last week; however the electricity is still off. "My cousin," said Mr Colebrook, "died inside this house, burn up in the house, and we're going to have the funeral real soon, and who helping us with that?" "The only people helping us now is Urban Renewal and Rodney Moncur was helping with rakes and stuff," he added. Longtime activist in the community, Mr Moncur is the Democratic National Alliance candidate for the area.