St. John’s Station reports first fire call for 2024, but is unable to save small wooden house in Villa

With house fires having been a serious issue for the Fire Department
in 2023, investigations have been launched into a blaze that
occurred in Villa in the early hours of January 10.
 
Reports say that No. 15 fire tender and motor pick-up G159 from the
St. John’s Station responded to the inferno, which reportedly started
at about 2:20 a.m.
 
At the scene, firemen met a 13’ x 11’ wooden house engulfed in
flames. They immediately went into action to extinguish the blaze;
but, despite their efforts, the house was completely destroyed.

 
Reportedly, the property had been occupied by Henry Richards, who
was not at home at the time. It was owned by Junior Matthew, a
friend of the occupant who resides in All Saints Village.
 
Fire officials say there was no electricity attached and the property
was not insured. 
 
The incident was reported to the Criminal Investigations
Department (CID), which is also conducting inquiries into the fire.
On Thursday, January 11, Police Commissioner Atlee Rodney
reported that officers had responded to 46 house fires in 2022, but
to 88 calls in 2023, and he deemed this a significant increase.