189 / 494
188
8.70.
Ms. James went to Ms. Sissy’s house at Kirkpatrick Pathway. About
fifteen persons gathered at Ms. Sissy’s. Later, members of the JCF “took
everybody over to Dorothy Ferron’s yard”. She said when she came out of
Ms. Sissy’s house, she saw her own house burning. She asked a policeman to
call the Fire Service. He said it was a State of Emergency and “no fire truck can
come in here”. Ms. James said she was able to see her house from Dorothy
Ferron’s and she saw no one make any attempt to extinguish the fire.
8.71.
Ms. James’ house was completely destroyed as well as Ms. Sissy’s
which was immediately to the rear of Ms. James’.
8.72.
Ms. James estimated her total losses at $764,300.00 including loss
of furniture and appliances. She said that, in addition, she lost $150,000.00 in
cash. She received $250,000.00 from MoLSS.
FINDINGS
8.73.
Ms. James suffered total loss of her house and contents.
The loss of her property may have been caused by an exploding mortar,
which caused a fire which then destroyed several houses in Chang
Avenue. We are not satisfied that the sum of $250,000.00 received
from MoLSS was adequate and we recommend further investigation of
Ms. James’ losses.
(xxii) Delores King
8.74.
This elderly lady lived at 56 Sangster Crescent in a two-storey
building. She left her house on 23 May and returned “when the war was over”.
On her return, she found that the TV was damaged, the door of the fridge was
“mashed up”; all of her pots were destroyed; tiles in the kitchen and verandah
were damaged and the back of the house was shot up with several “big holes”.
She received $15,000.00 from MoLSS.