Bad roads, no water cause of child burning to death

CHRISTIANA, Manchester:

DAYS AFTER three-year-old Charlene Sappleton of Brontie district, Christiana, was burnt to death in her home, residents are still angry over the incident which, they say, could have been prevented.

According to the residents, the child might have survived if the road was not in a poor condition and water was in the community.

Charlene's aunt, Daniel Tyme, told The Gleaner that she was at home with the child and her father about 3 o'clock last Friday evening when the fire started.

She explained that she had fallen asleep in a front room and was awakened by the heat from the fire. Tyme said she then saw smoke coming from an area near the room where Charlene was. She raised an alarm and the child's father, who was outside working, rushed into the house and attempted to rescue Charlene, but could not get to her room because it was engulfed in flames. She said neighbours were willing to assist, but there was no water to douse the flames.

Tyme told The Gleaner that the incident has left her traumatised. She said the child's mother had gone to a class at Holmwood Technical High School. Both parents collapsed when they realised that their child had died.

Charlene's parents were unable to comment as they were taken for treatment at Percy Junor Hospital.

Cassandra White, who has lived in the community for 26 years, said she is "angry", because they were promised that the road would be repaired and water would be piped to the community.

Rose James, another resident, said her three children are forced to take two pairs of shoes to school each day, one to traverse the bad road and the other to wear on the school compound.

The angry residents, numbering about 30, who gathered at the house to give comfort to the family, said they have had enough. They want their member of parliament, Audley Shaw, to address their concerns.

- Angelo Laurence