Another crushing blow - Fire destroys home that was rebuilt after Hurricane Melissa

Less than a week ago, Clive Evans and his partner Kezie Barnaby breathed a huge sigh of relief and had much to smile about.

With the help of good Samaritans and personal savings, the couple was able to rebuild their house after it was partially destroyed by Hurricane Melissa last October. Yesterday, Evans was smiling again, but his eyes showed signs of brokenness and pain.

"I was over by the justice of the peace's office and I got a call say mi house was on fire, so mi tell the person not to run those type of joke with mi. But after that I hear the fire truck and realise it was true. I was smiling and laughing even as I watched the fire blaze, but after I see even the fowl have a roof and I didn't have any, I cried. I am smiling now but maybe after this interview I am going to cry again," Evans said.

Evans is one of 15 persons left homeless after fire completely destroyed four dwellings along Walkers Avenue in Gregory Park, St Catherine on Tuesday evening. A senior police officer on the scene told THE STAR that the arson is suspected to be the cause of the blaze that started sometime after 6 p.m. It is alleged that the attack stemmed from a domestic dispute and that the perpetrator has since fled the area.

As Evans and others searched the rubble for anything of value, he released another smile, reminiscing on his rebuilding effort.

"We had three bedroom but when Melissa went away with it, we got help and was able to rebuild stronger and better. We even added another bedroom and bathroom. I was in a better position and I was comfortable. I got redundant from The Gleaner and I was just at home resting and felt good, just to get hit now," Evans added.

With nowhere to call home, Evans, who is also a groom at Caymanas Park, said he had to share a stable with a few horses on Tuesday night while his wife and children stayed with loved ones.

Barnaby, who is left nursing a broken leg from the fiery incident, was moved to tears when she spoke with THE STAR.

"I wouldn't wish this on my enemy as it is a terrible situation," she said. She expressed belief that a man who had an argument with his sister - and who called her before the fire - caused the blaze.

"I was telling him to calm down as he vent. He appeared drunk at the time," she said. Barnaby said minutes after their conversation, she saw smoke coming from her neighbour's house.

"When I went in my yard I realise my house was on fire, so I just ran in the house and call my sons as they were inside. We tried pouring water but it couldn't help. I ran to try and save some documents and when I was coming back outside, I fell, and that's how my foot got broke. Now I am going to have to do an operation as they said I am going to need pins," she said.

"To know that we just rebuild the house and now it destroy really hurts. The person who lit the fire even work on the house as well. As he was fleeing the community I asked him why and him just run and fan mi off," Barnaby added.

Member of Parliament for the St Catherine East Central, Alando Terrelonge, said he and his team will be assisting the affected families with building supplies, care packages and other much needed items.

"We have heard that the fire was set by a disgruntled individual following a family dispute and are asking this person to turn himself in to the police so that a peaceful community solution can be had. We want him to turn himself in so that he can answer the questions that the police have for him and that he understands accountability. We want the matter to be handled in a peaceful way as we always preach conflict resolution," he said.