The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net A MASSIVE fire ripped through a Haitian village over the weekend, destroying nine homes and leaving more than a dozen people homeless. Police say the fire started around 8.43pm on Friday at a shanty town in Gamble Heights, off Baillou Hill Road South. Fire Chief Walter Evans said within minutes of the fire being reported the first fire truck was on the scene. "The first responding vehicle got there before 9pm. After seeing the gravity of the situation, four more trucks were dispatched to assist. On arrival to the area firefighters met nine single storey wooden structures engulfed in flames. All nine homes were completely destroyed. There were no casualties or injuries during the blaze," he said. "We have not determined the cause of the blaze but our investigations are ongoing. At least 15 people were left homeless. Three other buildings were damaged but not destroyed." ASP Evans said police are not sure if the displaced Haitians were legal citizens or if they were receiving assistance from the Department of Social Services. Minister of Social Services Loretta Butler Turner could not be contacted for comment.