The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

INVESTIGATORS have not found sufficient grounds to bring charges against anyone over the death of an infant who was burned beyond recognition during a fire at an Elizabeth Estates home last week, according to Central Detective Unit Chief Paul Rolle.

Supt Rolle told The Tribune yesterday that the case file had been sent to the Coroner’s Court for further consideration.

The baby, reportedly five-months-old, and his six-year-old brother, were reportedly at home alone when the house on St Vincent Avenue was consumed by flames last week Tuesday night. The six-year-old survived because he was able to escape the burning home.

Two days later, police spokesperson Superintendent Stephen Dean said two close male relatives were in custody and being questioned over the incident. However, Mr Rolle confirmed that the men have since been released.

He said: “The file went to the coroner and the two relatives have since been released...no charges were brought so CDU sent the file to the coroner.”

When contacted yesterday, Fire Services Chief Walter Evans said he could not yet say what sparked the blaze.

At the scene, a witness, who wanted only to be identified as Ms Rolle, said she had been visiting her mother for a family prayer meeting when the tragedy occurred.

She explained that her relatives were alerted to the fire when a child’s screams were heard which drew attention to the smoke rising from the house.

“I had just gone into the back room to get something, and I heard this child screaming,” she said last week. “I looked at the time because I thought he was being punished, but I thought who beating a child this time of night? So I peeked through the window, and when I looked out I saw the smoke coming from the house and that’s when I ran out to the front and let my family know the house was on fire.”

The six-year-old boy, Ms Rolle recalled, was distraught and had to be pulled away from the scene.

Once residents realised a baby was inside, she said, it was too late as the raging flames had engulfed the structure.

Ms Rolle said she could not confirm whether an adult was at home. However, no one was there when she and her brothers tried to rescue the infant. Several area residents also said the children were alone.