UPDATE: Newtown fire leaves several families homeless

The aftermath of the fire
The aftermath of the fire

Investigations have begun into a fire which occurred in Newtown in the early hours of Friday morning leaving seven families homeless; Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Fire and Ambulance Services, Wayne Letang has confirmed.

Letang told Dominica News Online (DNO) on Friday morning that three, out of seven houses affected by the fire, were destroyed, “completely burnt to the ground.”

“Seven houses were involved in that blaze and at that point I can say that an investigation is ongoing,” he said. “Investigators are still on the scene doing investigations, so further details into the name of the occupants and the families, I do not have it yet.”

There are no reports of injuries at this time.

Meantime, Letang said the Fire and Ambulance Services is not ruling out arson as fire officials investigate two separate fires which occurred in the Pointe Michel area.

According to reports the fires occurred on Monday (October 5) and the other on Tuesday (October 6) at two separate houses which were unoccupied and without electricity.

“What I can tell you that due to the nature of these fires, we have not ruled out arson, we are still investigating the possibility of an arson taking place in those fires at Pointe Mitchel,” Letang said.

He said fire officials are presently compiling information into the two fires.

Letang called on residents of the Pointe Michel community to assist the department in its investigations.

“One of the things we continue to ask the public is in any investigation we ask that they support us,” he stated. “Particularly seeing that we have not ruled out arson in the Pointe Michel case we are asking persons if you have any information be on the lookout, because there is a possibility that due to the nature of those fires it may happen again.”

He also advised persons to be vigilant with their property, and if they “see, hear or suspect anything, they can also give us that information at the Fire and Ambulance Services.”

fire new town1

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33 Comments

  1. HARLEM VOICE
    October 12, 2015

    Many of you have posted with absolutely no knowledge of that part of Montgeo Bay but we in Newtown knows better. It is not rats that are living there and it is humans just like all of us. I dont know how a galvanize that is gutted by fire is expected to shine as some clowns are stating. Section of the area concerned consists of wooden and concrete structures yet the impression of hell-like poverty compared to no where else is rather unfortunate indeed. This is not the face of Newtown- a community that has birthed some of the brightest minds on island with a huge core of intelligentsia contributing to the development of critical and varied aspects of national life. Deepest sympathies to all the victims and we are thankful for the rapid responses of both the Government and the Hon Joshua Francis. The proud people of Newtown have also done what is necessary to aid their people and that is indeed commendable. Let me say that it was not arson but an accidental fire based on eye witnesses.

  2. HARLEM VOICE
    October 12, 2015

    Many of you have posted with absolutely no knowledge of that part of Montgeo Bay but we in Newtown knows better. It is not rats that are living there and it is humans just like all of us. I dont know how a galvanize that is gutted by fire is expected to shine as some clowns are stating. Section of the area concerned consists of wooden and concrete structures yet the impression of hell-like poverty compared to no where else is rather unfortunate indeed. This is not the face of Newtown- a community that has birthed some of the brightest minds on island with a huge core of intelligentsia contributing to the development of critical and varied aspects of national life.
    Deepest sympathies to all the victims and we are thankful for the rapid responses of both the Government and the Hon Joshua Francis. The proud people of Newtown have also done what is necessary to aid their people and that is indeed commendable. Let me say that it was not arson but an accidental fire based on eye…

  3. weareallfoolsindominica
    October 10, 2015

    i smh to the country and whats happening. the disasters, fire, economic crisis, full warehouses of aid from overseas and hungry bellies everywhere, greedy village council workers, charitable orgs giving supplies to thier friends and families who dont need it…. etc…etc.
    lord have mercy on us.

  4. End of time
    October 10, 2015

    When a wooden house burns down is totally consumed all that is left is galvanize what else you people expect to see in the picture no matter how luxurious a house is, when it is charred it all looks the same…..

  5. Annelia
    October 9, 2015

    Dominicans be dirt talking the Haitian people but most of them living in more dirty and nasty conditions than Haitians. It’s a shame to see how ignorant and hypocrite some people really are. In order to see results you have to change your ways of thinking or else you’ll always have the same outcome. It’s not about the government but the mindset of the people that put them in power. Something to ponder on.

    • FREE SPIRIT
      October 11, 2015

      Annelia you sound like an upset Haitian. I am going to take it that you are not aware of how “most Dominicans” live.

  6. concerned
    October 9, 2015

    all the pal reps need to give back 15% of their salary to help these poor condition in d/ca

  7. ZUMA
    October 9, 2015

    Just watch me I will soon be putting my name forward to run for the office of government to provide for the needs of my people.-. whoever is with me lets come together to form the next Government . UWP is useless and the present elected government is of no use either they are lacking in substance, lazy and have no imagination and forward thinking strategies whatsoever.. get rid of them both and bring clean minds a fresh start am ready and i hope you are ready with me… we will not need 21 persons to govern Dominica 11 bright young functioning forward going minds will be just what DA needs….

  8. ZUMA
    October 9, 2015

    you bet is a damn nasty chanty town that should not even be shown on DNO. In this day and age people are still living like culvert rats… disgrace to the housing ministry… where is the proper sanitation for theses people, they don’t even have running water . they must be relieving them selves by the sea. luckily DA does not have winter or their butt would freeze-. where is the ministry of health and housing . not even chickens would live in such conditions this is so shameful… where is the respect of the citizens . i have already said all these pourie galvanise and rotting shacks and huts should de destroyed and proper housing schemes built to house underprivileged dominicans… i am so appalled…

    • Jenn
      October 9, 2015

      Lend a helping hand

    • River Street
      October 9, 2015

      Really? At least they are not homeless. America with all It’s riches, have many homeless people who wish they owned a shanty. Go down south and see how many pit toilets that are out there in such a rich country. Yes we need improvements but stop battering the poor and unfortunate with your selfish comment.

      • Tjebe fort
        October 10, 2015

        That situation not good in the U.S.A. and not good in Dominica, period. One does not excuse the other.

    • Tjebe fort
      October 10, 2015

      I don agree with you Zuma. If you have a nasty wound you have to air it, show it open if you want it treated. If you don’t do that and pretend everything is ok it will only get worse and start to stink. Same thing here brother. We must show this bad situation, not to embarrass these unfortunate people but to help them get a better life. Don’t hide it bro. but embarrass those, who have the power to help.

  9. angel
    October 9, 2015

    Dominicans lets stop criticize one another and let us help build a better Dominica. Let us stop blame the PM for everything. was he the one that sent the people and burn their houses NO , So therefore let us stop blame him for everything. Let us wake up and rise again.

    • Ma Moses
      October 11, 2015

      True, the P.M. is not to blame for everything but he is responsible for everything. The buck stops with him and if he does not like that he can always resign and allow someone else to do the job. Dominica, the country itself is more important than mr. Skerrit or any Prime Minister.

  10. Brenda Fall
    October 9, 2015

    Could someone tell me where the families from these homes are going to now live? I would like to give them comfort. No one deserves to lose everything even if it wasn’t much to begin with.

  11. grell
    October 9, 2015

    Dominica is doomed yet they praise their pm god is dealing with you all,sad for the families but you all need to wake up,all am seeing is old rusty galvanize,sad state.

  12. Cheryl
    October 9, 2015

    As for Pointe Mitchel this place is plagued with tormented young men!

  13. Observer
    October 9, 2015

    Sorry about the losses. It is interesting to know that this caller called in to Q95 yesterday talking about someone/people starting fire in that side of the island, and to see that fire. It did not seem that it was taken seriously. Is there a connection?

  14. JC
    October 9, 2015

    Wait Wait Wait….there is a good in all things. Perhaps the government will donate better houses for those who have lost their homes

  15. Born Again Christian
    October 9, 2015

    Sorry to hear about this fire in New Town… I can donate some items of used clothing. I am appealing to other Dominicans to come out to assist. I will contact Parliamentary Representative, Honourable Joshua Francis at cell phone number 7672859732 or constituency office telephone number 7674499110 or email [email protected].

    If you are able to assist please do so.

    • 101
      October 9, 2015

      USED CLOTHING? HUH? REALLY?well maybe all de BROGODOWS we got after TSE is not enough

  16. Wife of an Officer
    October 9, 2015

    Dominica, Dominicans, we need to pray for God’s protection and blessings. I am very sorry for the families’ lost. Heartfelt sympathies.

    • ZUMA
      October 9, 2015

      then pray for proper housing for your fellow sisters and brothers… linton must protest bout this and make sure that the people get better housing instead of belching bubbles and inciting useless trouble… you fake fur coat…

    • Titiwi
      October 9, 2015

      Praying alone does not fill a hungry stomach or put a roof over someone’s head. Rolling up your sleeves and opening your pocket book is what these people need right now.

  17. Fummy
    October 9, 2015

    but wait this is a chanty town, all i see is galvanize…

    • Malgraysa
      October 9, 2015

      Unfortunately this is how a lot of our people live, even in the centre of Roseau. Go at the back of many a house you see lining the street and, what was originally a backyard is filled with dwellings like these, cheek to jowl, where people try to maintain a modicum of decency. It is not for nothing the P.M. has those, drapes in his office because a view from his window affords a scene of like impoverishment and unhealthy, insanitary living conditions. Compare that with the State House, down the road, where one man lives in abundant splendour, keeping the lights burning all night as a symbol of affluence, with his salary and expenses contributed to by citizens living in hovels, within walking distance. That too is our Dominica and if some want to deny it and close their eyes so be it but the grotesque obscenity of it pains me every day. We shall help for the victims to find shelter and some material comforts. Have a nice weekend.

      • nonsense
        October 9, 2015

        Sometimes you all need to shut the hell up….there us improvised places all over the world ….even in the great America people leaves in very poor conditions worse than people in Dominica.

      • ImAnIdiot
        October 9, 2015

        That was very deep. I consider myself a poet and couldnt have said it better myself.

      • DA
        October 9, 2015

        I don’t expect anything positive/informative from you or the gang, because you all hate the gov’t with a passion. I’ ve never seen or read such hate from anyone….my God.

      • BonnyMom
        October 10, 2015

        well google and see it is not Dominica alone that have shanty housesas you call it. Washington DC near the WHITE HOUSE rightaround the corner lives the most impoverish people i have come acroos yet still you complain. We in Dominica are fortunate to have a little galvanize building not saying we cannot do better but the level of homelessness i have come across i will take the shanty any day. By the way it does not matter what government that is in power unless we the people can unite and build our community by accessing the available resources that are available we will always be behind. So instead of thinking what can the government do think of what can you do if you can afford to help build your community. And always remember the next person story can always be wirse damn your.
        Am sorry these people had to lose their stuff and i hope the government and the community can assist them going forward.

      • jamesd
        October 11, 2015

        It’s so absurd when someone points out a flaw in their country, people point to that flaw in other countries, as if to say “well if they have it too then it’s ok”. That is such a ridiculous way of thinking and it’s one of the reasons why this type of foolishness will never change. Even worse when you add politics into the mix and people just lose their minds, it’s like as soon as you point out something wrong with the country it’s because you hate the present government. smh

    • ZUMA
      October 9, 2015

      you bet is a damn nasty chanty town that should not even nb shown on DNO. In this day and age people are still living like culvert rats… disgrace to the housing ministry…

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