Kind neighbour opens door to Turkeyen fire victims
Amputee lost wheelchair
Stabroek News
April 9, 2003
Victims of Tuesday's fire at First Street, Turkeyen have found refuge at the home of a neighbour who has opened his two-storey building to the families.
Among the homeless are Claudette Cholmondeley and her husband Terrance Babb, Quincy Smith and his reputed wife Simone Phillips, Evelyn John, Gwendolyn Thomas, a man known only as `Babi' and the Stephensons.
Some 23 children are also among those left without a roof over their heads following the fire which destroyed the tenement building in which the five families lived.
A visit to the area yesterday found Cholmondeley in tears and numerous others counting their losses. Cholomondeley, who has only one leg told this newspaper the fire took everything she owned. The woman lamented that her wheelchair was gone and she was now confined to bed. She said in order to move around, her husband would have to lift her.
Terrance, a retired electrician, said it was impossible to get his wife a new wheelchair. He estimated his losses at $1.5m.
According to Terrance, residents in the area have been supportive by providing them with meals and toiletries.
He also praised the Braams who opened their home and welcomed everyone.
He said there was no arrangement between the Braams and the victims and at any time they could be asked to leave.
Terrance said when that time came he only hoped the Lord would provide.
Smith told this newspaper his two children were left without school uniforms, shoes, bags and books since all were lost in the fire. Babb's grandson, John's five children, Thomas' granddaughter, `Babi's' nephew and thirteen of the Stephensons' children suffered a similar blow. Three of the children are reportedly writing the Secondary Schools Entrance Examin-ation (SSEE) next week.
According to the victims no one has offered any assistance with the exception of the residents in the area.
