Woman, 73, dies in St Lucy house fire

A 73-year-old woman died in a house fire at Number One, Crab Hill, St Lucy, on Thursday morning, leaving her family and community in mourning. The deceased has been identified as Janice Straker, who was inside the home when the blaze broke out. Three grandchildren who were also in the house escaped. Her husband, Richard Straker, said he returned home shortly before 7 a.m. to find the house on fire. He attempted to enter the building but was forced back by intense smoke and flames. Straker said neighbours rushed to assist, with some using water hoses and others attempting to gain access to the burning house. He described his wife, with whom he had shared more than 50 years, as a loving woman. “I’m devastated though because we were together for over 50 years,” he said. Resident Dwayne Griffith was among those who attempted to rescue Straker. He sustained injuries during the effort and reportedly received treatment for smoke inhalation. St Lucy MP Peter Phillips, who visited the scene, described the incident as a tragedy for the family and wider community. He said several family members had been temporarily displaced and that social services personnel had visited to assess their immediate needs. Phillips also renewed calls for emergency accommodation in northern Barbados, arguing that families displaced by fires and other disasters should not have to relocate far from their communities, particularly when children are attending school. The cause of the fire has not yet been established.