St. Elizabeth man dies in house fire; three relatives injured

 

A man died in a house fire in Newton, St. Elizabeth on Thursday morning. 

 

He has been identified as 40-year-old Ezra Gayle.

 

Three members of his family - two women and a man - were injured in the blaze.

 

Residents reportedly heard screams for help and a saw fire coming from the 12-bedroom dwelling sometime after 4 a.m. 

 

One resident said neighbours were able to assist the three persons from the house before it was totally engulfed by flames. 

 

"We help three come out, but the next one, we couldn't make it round a dat side cause di fire weyn too much pon dat side. If wi did have more help, wi coulda manage, but the help neyn di deh," the resident lamented.  

 

A teenager escaped unharmed.

 

Two units from the Santa Cruz fire station extinguished the blaze.

 

Superintendent Kimar Brooks, Divisional Commander for St. Elizabeth Fire Department, said the cause of the fire has not been determined.

 

As the St. Elizabeth Fire Department investigates the deadly blaze, it is appealing for homeowners to have clearly established escape plans in the event of emergencies. 

 

"I want to use this medium also to encourage persons who occupy dwellings that are grilled to ensure that the keys are kept at a central location so all occupants can have access in cases like this. I also want to encourage the citizens here in St. Elizabeth to be familiar with the telephone numbers for the fire stations in your area because this will aid in our response time, so we can get to the scenes as fast as possible," Superintendent Brooks advised.