The timber house at Howells Cross Roads, The Ivy, St Michael, was reduced to ashes and Leonard Buynan, in his 80s, and his son Cyril Crichlow, in his 50's, took refuge in neighbour Velda Neblett's house last night.

Walcott said he returned home after 1 a.m. yesterday and his mother alerted him after hearing an explosion.

"She [my mother] told me to get Bunyan. The back part of the house was burning when I got them out," Walcott said.

Heard explosion

Neblett said: "It happened really fast. I told my son I smelt gas and he checked my house. There was no gas. But when I opened the window, I saw the house on fire. I told my son to go and move the car. I heard an explosion."

Nothing was saved. Both Neblett and Bunyan said they had suspicions about how the fire started since there was no cooking at the house because food was delivered to Bunyan and his son daily.

Bunyan added: "There is no gas in the house. . . . I don't buy matches. I'm pondering to know how it catch. I'm still in shock as well. My house was over 100 years. I was born in there. The Lord will help me to get another house," he said. (KB)

Source: Nation Newspaper - February 27, 2008