The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunememdia.net

THE owner of the Homestead Avenue house where six relatives were burned to death responded to criticisms that the poor upkeep of the property added to the tragedy.

For the past four years Brenda Gibson had rented the small four-room house to one of the victims, 22-year-old Jennifer Bisphaint. During that time, she told The Tribune, she and Bisphaint formed a close relationship. It was that bond that compelled her to ensure that Bisphaint had no grievances with the house.

If ever she or the three other persons living in the house had maintenance problems, Ms Gibson said she was sure to tend to those issues. The landlord insisted that the two additional persons found burned beyond recognition in the house were only visiting when the fire broke out.

“Words cannot explain the loss that I am feeling right now,” Ms Gibson said, “because Jennifer was someone that I grew to love over the years. She was a young girl that was headstrong and knew what she wanted in life, although she did not have much.

“I want to address something though. I am the owner of the house and I can tell you that there was running water and there was light. I ensured that they lived the way I live. There was always some kind of repairs going on around there. I am told that Jennifer was helping the neighbours by running a drop cord and it is likely that the fire could have started from there. One thing is certain though, had I seen her running the drop cord, I would have stopped it right then and there.

“They are gone and it’s so tragic, but I am glad that I did for them whatever I could.”

Last night the police released the identities of three victims, who died in the 2am fire on Monday. They said that the other three were burned beyond recognition and DNA analysis would have to be used to positively identify them.

Positively identified were 52-year-old Marilyn Barrett, 23-year-old Unissa Pratt and 2-year-old Joashinique King, all of Miami Street.

The other three are believed to be Jennifer Bisphaint, 22, mother of the two-year-old, Melchizedek Bain, 15, and Trayvon Grant, 16.

While police officials yesterday said they were investigating the cause the fire, one news daily suggested that neighbours had reason to believe that the death of the family was suspicious. They claim that the victims were trapped inside the building because the doors were nailed shut. When investigators discovered the charred remains of the victims they were all in the bathroom.

However, Superintendent Stephen Dean told The Tribune that many theories were in circulation, but police have no reason to believe that the incident was murder. Responding to other allegations that one of the victims was a known offender, Mr Dean said it was not true.

He said: “People are saying all sorts of things about how this happened, but we have no reason to believe any of these things. I can tell you that someone who was associated with the family was known to us, but it’s the same as with many other families who might know someone who might have been on the wrong side of the law. We are investigating this as a fire and I am telling you it is just that.”