THE EDITOR, Sir:On May 20, 1980, an all-consuming fire raged through the Eventide Home on Slipe Road in Kingston, which was home for over 200 indigents, most of whom were elderly, blind and crippled females.
The fire sent huge acrid black smoke into the air. When the flames went out, the charred remains of 144 elderly women were recovered from the rubble. A number of firefighters were injured and suffered from smoke inhalation.
The intense heat from the burning building that was made of wood transformed the bright red colour of fire unit number 12 to pale pink.
The Eventide fire occurred in what can be described as the most violent political period in the country's history. The fire was extinguished that day, yet the embers of controversy still burn. Can a similar incident happen again?
As a young firefighter doing dispatch duties, I was numbed by the messages from the units at the fire ground, but a subsequent visit to the scene later in the morning left me grief-stricken and cowering in fear.
I have not forgotten.
I am, etc.,
MORINE THOMPSON
tamobig@yahoo.com
Deputy Superintendent
Lucea Fire Station
