St. George’s, August 15, 2011 – Police are investigating a second fire to hit a rural community within the space of two days.

A family of six in Madeys, St. Patrick, was left homeless after their house was burnt flat by fire late Sunday evening, August 14.

A day earlier – in Laura Land, St. David – fire destroyed a junior section of the St. Dominic’s Roman Catholic School. In the fire, which affected four Grade 6 classrooms and the kindergarten department, the school lost furniture as well as teaching aids and hundreds of books.

In the case of the fire in Madeys, the blaze completely gutted the three-bedroom residence. Nothing was saved despite the valiant efforts of neighbours and firefighters attached to the Sauteurs Police Station.

Leon John and family were returning home after a social evening together when news of the fire reached them from panic-stricken neighbours and friends.

Parliamentary Representative for the area, Hon Joseph Gilbert, inspected the scene of the fire early Monday morning and empathized with the family on their loss.

He promised to do all within his power to bring urgent relief to the family. “I have already spoken to the Minister with responsibility for Housing, as well as the Minister for Social Development, on the tragedy. Urgent assistance to the family is being mobilized,’’ Minister Gilbert said.

He pledged further to seek assistance on the family’s behalf from both the Grenada Red Cross and the National Disaster Management Agency.

Scores of persons from the neighbourhood visited the fire site Monday morning, lending material and moral support to the still bewildered family.

“I am truly moved by the overwhelming level of support that is being provided by the community,’’ Hon. Gilbert said. “This family needs all the help that we can provide for them to overcome this tragedy in the shortest time possible.’’