Roseau South MP appeals for assistance in Newtown fire

Francis at the scene of the fire
Francis at the scene of the fire

Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau South Constituency, Joshua Francis, has made an appeal to Dominicans, both here and the Diaspora, to assist victims who were affected by a fire in the Newtown community early Friday morning.

The fire, which is said to have started at about 2:00 am on Friday in an area known as Montego Bay, engulfed eight houses, leaving seven families homeless.

“I am in the process of making an appeal to Dominica here and abroad to come out, we need their assistance,” Francis told Dominica News Online (DNO) on Friday. “I cannot do it on my own, it is going to take the entire community of the Roseau South Constituency and Dominica by extension to assist.”

Francis who also visited the scene described it as, “very unpleasant, very disheartening and it creates sadness.”

“Seven families were affected… the people are still in a state of shock, the entire community, more so the victims,” he explained. “Among the victims were school children and of course our concern is to restore lives as quickly as possible, to return some kind of normalcy in the lives of the victims.”

As parliamentary representative, Francis said, one of his first objectives is to secure food, clothing and shelter for the victims.

“At this hour I have been able to obtain a lot of food supplies … we need money, we need water and we continue to need more food and clothes,” he stated.

Francis remarked that he will continue to do his outmost to make sure that those affected return to, “some kind of normalcy.”

“Of course, we understand that a lot of people were affected by Tropical Storm Erika, Dominica is already burdened and now that situation has happen it has placed more burden on our people and on our limited resources,” he stated.

However, Francis pointed out, the country have been there before and, “we overcame.”

“I have no doubt that this time around we will overcome again,” he said, adding that presently an assessment of the number of victims involved is being done.

Although the situation was devastating, Francis is relieved that there was no loss of lives.

“The entire situation here is that we had no loss of lives and that is positive,” he noted. “We are glad that there was no physical injury.”

Persons wishing to assist are asked to contact Francis’ office number 440-8764, cell 285-9732 or E-mail address [email protected] .

The fire department has said 28 people were affected by the fire.

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23 Comments

  1. marie
    October 12, 2015

    There was a fire in loubiere less than a month before this one which put a young man and his young son homeless. Why wasn’t that one reported on the news and where was joshua francis then?

  2. October 11, 2015

    Our prayers, and contributions, is needed. Who feels it knows it. Never knows how a man feels, unless you walk a mile in his shoes. Let’s to the right thing.

  3. who vex vex
    October 10, 2015

    I wonder if he asking for my help or begging for money, clothes and food.
    Lol
    Boy dem fellas not nothing soft.
    Get work 4 dem so they can buy what they need and go to d red clinic and apeal to the government for assistance.
    Some will thumb me down but i just want allu to know asking is not for one set or may i say begging.

    • Arri Mayers
      October 10, 2015

      Remember sir, that Charity begins at home. In its worst moments, people from all over the Caribbean and further afield,are rightly givinf support to Dominica. Show a bit of charity towards your brothers and sisters now in need.

  4. October 10, 2015

    O dear God! This is horrible! On behalf of the victims I prayer this to You:

    Only You, O Lord, knows why these sort of things happen. And so all we can ask from to touch our heart and guide our lips in prayer.

    We pray You will lead us through the darkness and through those gloomy days. Give us strength that we might find abiding faith –wherever we are going, You know it dear God;, we pray that You are the shelter of this stormy blast–which has overtaken us. In Jesus name Amen!

  5. How
    October 9, 2015

    How did this fire start ..?

  6. forreal
    October 9, 2015

    montego bay? dominica has been integrated into Jamaica non?i hope potia simpson can lend a hand,anyway it’s a sad situation I feel for these people,but this shack development got to go,i will send my two pence to,aye dominic

  7. hmmmmmm
    October 9, 2015

    DNO, is not joshua francis dat in d picture. i fail to believe dat!

  8. The Real Facts
    October 9, 2015

    A fire occurred in Newtown. The fire had an origin. What caused it? Who was the person responsible for this fire which spread and burned many houses? I hope this is investigated and D/cans are informed about it.
    The victims need help. However, whoever is responsible for the fire is to be held accountable.
    Thank God no one was injured and there were no fatalities.

  9. The Real Facts
    October 9, 2015

    The first two comments, you are sadly lacking in common sense. What use are your ignorant and silly comments? Is this all you can state on this matter? Poor you! Some ignorance, eh.
    Wait if your house burns down and you see the interior of it. What will you state? Would you like others to make such statements about it? It is as if you are not aware what a house is like when it is burned down.
    Are you living on the planet Mars? :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  10. Jesus_was_a_Capitalist
    October 9, 2015

    Sad let us try to help them.

  11. COMBOS
    October 9, 2015

    Is so we want to live now? is just wait for ting to happen to beg diaspora and rest of world? where dominica income? rest of world and diaspora have their own deybar tooo…. tell the government to go back to the soil, go back to the banana, and coconut etc.. they warned him about the tourism crap he tried.. even that did not work out for him… tupesssssssss man how long we going to beg for…

  12. Anonymous
    October 9, 2015

    Mr Francis thanks for coming to the AID of these people my GOD bless you keep up the GOOD WORK

  13. zandoli
    October 9, 2015

    How many people are going to lose all their possessions without some sort of insurance protection?

    I understand extreme poverty will necessitate people prioritizing food and basic amenities over insurance, but for those who can arrange their spending, please get home owners insurance. You think you are saving by not getting insurance – until you need the protection.

  14. Stealth Critique
    October 9, 2015

    People are going to have to start spending some money on insurance.

    • ME
      October 11, 2015

      Who going to insure shanty town?

    • The Real Facts
      October 11, 2015

      It must be ascertained if any had insurance. You are assuming that all 28 house owners do not have insurance?

  15. Laughter the best medication for DA's ills.
    October 9, 2015

    doubting Tomas!
    See the bro in his blue outfit! He blue until he dies formerly Red

    • Not a herd follower
      October 9, 2015

      you really believe there’s laughter in this situation where 28 people have been made homeless by fire? Where is your sensitivity or sympathy?

  16. 101
    October 9, 2015

    bonjaiii,,,,that is dem peoples house? so inside it is? bonjaii, where i be there nuh?

    • indira Ghandi
      October 9, 2015

      Why am i seeing so much galvanize? What kind of houses were these?
      The Government need s to add them to the list for relocation.
      I think the govt. Received enough food and clothes to give to the victims.

    • AKB
      October 9, 2015

      I’m happy for you if you are “well off” and living comfortably, but if you think that gives you the right to belittle others who are less fortunate you are very wrong. SMH!!!!!

    • A Doubting Thomas In Solidarity
      October 11, 2015

      101

      If your home just got gutted by fire what would it look like? Do you believe if you were living in a 5 star hotel and it was gutted by fire what would it look like? Wouldn’t you still be homeless? Dear God do we have to wear our ignorance on our sleeves like that?

      I am so sorry for the families who lost their homes. Thankful no one lost their lives in such a tragedy, I hope the people in the community will come to their assistance.

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