Family homeless after Bodden Town blaze
(CNS): CID and fire experts are now investigating the cause of a house fire last night (Monday 30 August) which destroyed a home in Midland Acres Bodden Town and could have been deliberate. No one was hurt in the blaze as the family of four which included two small children of two and four years old were out at the time. The 911 emergency centre received the call at around 9pm and fire officers and police officers from Bodden Town Station responded to the address at 95 Periwinkle Arriving at the scene fire officers said the one bedroom concrete structure was engulfed in flames. Although the fire was quickly extinguished the property was severely, damaged. (Photo Dennie Warren Jr)
Police said that investigations are underway into the cause of the fire and are asking anyone who was in the area at the time of the fire and might have observed any suspicious activity, are being asked to call the Bodden town CID at 947 2220, the George Town police station at 949 4222 or the confidential Crime Stoppers number 800 – TIPS (8477)
Category: Local News
I have to ask myself, why do I give to the Red Cross, when in times of personal crisis such as this, they do not offer any sort of assistance?? I know that it, like Rotary, is an INTERNATIONAL organisation, but come on, does that mean that when someone in our own country has a tragedy, that these organisations just look the other way??
What bothers me is just how heartless the business community can be and I just want to air my anger at this.
I know this family personally and it broke my heart to know that this happened. I immediately called the family to find out if they had any money and somewhere to go and they did not. I took it upon myself to then call some of the hotels to find out if any of them would be at least willing to give them a room just for the night until morning when Social Services and other charities could access and assist.
I called the first hotel (XXXXX) The front desk guy was asked by me if they had vacancies and I was told they had a lot of empty rooms. I said that it was almost 11pm and if they could at least assist with a room from then til morning as they had no where to sleep. I was told he could not assist and I asked for a manager and was told all the managers were off island in meetings and no one was there to assist. I asked him if he really though I would believe that NOT A SINGLE MANAGER was there on island to oversee operations of the hotel. He then said there was one and I asked if he could call them and ask due to the unfortunate circumstances.
He put me on hold for a few minutes and when he returned he told me that he spoke to the manager and was told theydo not help people like that however he can give me a special resident discount of $114.00 for the night to come in and stay. I asked him if he was really serious and if he did not hear that I told him they just LOST EVERYTHING IN A HOUSE FIRE AND WAS HOMELESS. He once again told me his manager said no and that they could just extend the discounted rate.
Well let me tell you something Cayman. I was one that used to take STAYCATIONS at this hotel but starting today that is OVER. To think that the almighty dollar would prevent some form of humanity from these people makes me sick. I hope to God they never have to experience what this family just lost. I truly hope CNS will allow the name of this hotel to be printed. If not that is fine but I know I will not be using my XXXXX Rewards Card again.
M in case you did not know let me inform you …………. it’s called greed($$$$$),selfishness,no care for humanity,it wasn’t me or my family ….so i could care less,and i could go on and on and on.These negative and heartless positions are related to the great Capitalist economic system.Thank God the Promise Land will be free from such heartless people and systems,to the family…keep the faith cause joy cometh in the morning.
That is why when we speak about government implementing a community tax that would go towards helping the elderly, helpless, jobless, and those in need – we are rediculed for it. "Cayman does not need a tax," they say, "it would drive away business!" But are the businesses looking out for our interest or are they just here to make the money? I don’t like tax, but I strongly believe a community should get together and support those folks who are in dire need.
We have too much Republicans in Grand Cayman who will bend over for Mr./Mrs. Rich any day! So sad!
Don’t cover up for them put their name out there M!!! That’s what we need to start doing and not let them get away with it!! They want you to support local but local don’t support us when the time comes!!
CNS: "M" did name the hotel but I redacted the name.
When a situation like this occurs, one may ask, who will contribute towards helping these people out of rut? Then I realize how selfish and tight people can be with their monies. If you tax them for a worthy cause, they will scream "murder" and say that the government has become oppressive. And I don’t believe in using force or legislation to draw money out of people; especially, in these times. I can only plea to those who have much offer –
PLEASE, GIVE THESE PEOPLE A HELPING HAND!
IT COULD HAVE BEEN YOU
My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family as well, however I don’t see why a fund or bank account should be set up to help them, no offence or anything, but that is what "house Insurance" is for!!!!
I understand that times are bad, but I doubt very much they would reach into their pocket and give me the money if the shoe was on the other foot
Bad morning!!!
My heartfelt sympathies to the family who lost their home. Thankfully this family was unharmed, I hope this will be resolved quickly. I am sure that if/when any fund or bank account is set up so we can help this family during troubling times, CNS will make us aware of it.
My sympathy goes out to this family as well. The fact that this family of 4 is sharing a one room house truly is indicative of how we are struggling as a country. It is for this reason that I strike out at groups like Rotary that just wasted all that money to give dental care to the people of Colombia and the other groups that are raising money for places like Haiti. We need this money to stay at home and help our own people. The poeple leading these efforts should be ashamed!!!!
May we take it from your post then that you have organised, staffed and promoted charitable fund raising events here which have benefitted deserving Caymanians? Because if the answer to this question is no, your last sentence in particular is something of which you should be ashamed.
Get the cameras out there and in no time you will collect alot of money.
Do you really think you can compare something like this to what the poor people in Haiti have had to contend with ? I am sorry these people lost their home but I know they can find somewhere else to go. They will not have to live outside underneath a tarp or tent without water, food, electricity etc.
That is not what Rotary is all about – it is INTERNATIONAL and about helping all around the world – you dont even know whether or not the Rotary Club(s) is/are going to help this family and you start throwing slurs and negativity and criticising – instead of talking s….t and stirring up unrest in the community why dont you join a service club and help – a donation from you to the family would be great