Almost 50 people homeless after arson attacks in Central Kingston

 

At least 47 people, including 21 children, are homeless following a series of arson attacks by gunmen in the community of Southside in Central Kingston on Thursday morning.

 

Radio Jamaica News was informed that at an undetermined number of homes were destroyed in multiple arson attacks along Rum Lane, Rosemary Lane and Foster Lane.

 

It's reported that shortly after midnight, armed thugs firebombed several homes forcing residents, including children and the elderly, to flee for their lives.

 

Deputy Superintendent Glendale Murdock, who is in charge of crime for the Kingston Central Police, told Radio Jamaica News that the arson attacks stem from conflict among rival gangs. 

 

"We have several persons of interest who we know have been causing problem in the community. I know the community also know the name of those persons. They provide comfort for those persons and we are encouraging them to provide us with the necessary information and statement that we can remove those persons from among them so that they can live in peace," he urged. 

 

He said at least four persons detained are believed to be involved in crime in the community, but the police need statements from the residents to keep them in custody. 

 

Radio Jamaica News spoke with affected residents who say they lost all their belongings, including back to school supplies, bank cards, passports and birth certificates. 

 

"We heard 'Boom!'. My baby cousing that's four years old...he said 'Fire! Fire! Fire!' and everybody run out of the house and me grab di bottle a water and as mi fi gi mi cousin the bottle a water and turn back fi go inna my house for di kids dem, mi boyfriend affi run out wid di kids dem because everything start blaze. Lesser than five minutes, the house dem flat," one woman lamented. 

 

The incident follows the recent arson attacks in Walkers Avenue, Gregory Park, St. Catherine, which left two people dead and more than 40 others homeless.