By Roy Sanford, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
VICTIMS OF a devastating fire in the inner-city community of Canterbury, St. James, were yesterday the recipients of much-needed assistance from the Food for the Poor charity organisation.
The assistance, which came in the form of beds, was handed over to those who were burnt out by the fire, which occurred on Friday, July 16.
"We made a promise to help these people in any way we can," said Sheila Weatherly, administrator at Food for the Poor in Montego Bay. "We are helping them now by providing beds and we hope to offer more help as soon as possible."
According to Mrs. Weatherly, Food for the Poor had been hoping to offer food as well but she pointed out that a container with the supplies is yet to be cleared from the wharf. "Hopefully we will get the food within a week or two for distribution," she said.
WELCOME ASSISTANCE
William McLaughlin, one of the recipients, welcomed the assistance, especially since he has lost everything in the fire. "I feel a little bit better because now at least I have a bed," he told The Gleaner.
He said he was not home when the fire occurred and by the time he arrived on the scene, the entire house had been destroyed. "I could not save anything," he said. "And I have a child and a girlfriend."
Mr. McLaughlin said he is currently living with a neighbour and the going has been tough. "I wish I could get a stove to do my own cooking," he stated.
The help for the victims came just days after Councillor Calvin Ellison, of the St. James Parish Council's Montego Bay South Division, expressed disappointment at the slow pace of assistance. "We need to get more long-term assistance for them (the fire victims)," he said.
The fire, which destroyed seven houses, was estimated to have cost about $10 million in damage and left about 35 people homeless.
