Two houses have been destroyed by fire in Esperance Village south Trinidad. Up to 15 people have been affected by the blaze which occurred yesterday at around 11:30am. The fire destroyed two houses belonging to Sonny Sooklal, and his cousin, Seereeram Ramdhan.

Mr. Sooklal’s sons spent the afternoon dousing the flames that reignited hours after firefighters left. The fire is believed to have started in the house where Lisa Narine and her family lived. She told investigators she saw smoke coming from the upper front bedroom of their two-story, five-bedroom, wooden and concrete house.

Ms. Narine said she was able to get the children out of the house. Within minutes the fire spread to Mr. Ramdhan’s house. Both homes were destroyed. When the fire fighters arrived they spent time trying to prevent the spread to other homes in the area. 58 year-old Mr. Sooklal, and Mr. Ramdhan, said their homes were valued at about $300,000 each and all their families were left with were the clothes on their backs.  Two vehicles were also destroyed.