6 DEAD – Fiery end to attempted City robbery
Glendene Welch is overcome with grief after learning that her daughter Kelly Ann might be among the dead.
By Tim Slinger | Sat, September 04, 2010 - 1:03 AM
SIX PEOPLE perished last night in a blaze that could go down as one of Barbados’ worst human tragedies.
A fire believed to have started by two men who robbed the Campus Trendz store in Tudor Street, The City, engulfed the two-storey building along the busy shopping street, trapping the hapless victims within the inferno.
Confirmed dead is 18-year-old Shanna Griffith, an employee of the store who reportedly died in an ambulance en route to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Unconfirmed reports also indicated that five other females perished, including a toddler, other staff and customers.
A female supervisor also had to be treated on the scene for several cutlass wounds, believed to have been inflicted by one of the robbers. Up to press time, her condition was unknown.
According to police, the two robbers, in view of shocked customers, threw an incendiary device into Campus Trendz just before 7 p.m., after taking an undisclosed amount of cash.
An eyewitness told the SATURDAY SUN he was standing on the pavement just yards away from the store when a young man hurriedly dashed along the sidewalk.
“Then a second fellah with something like a scarf over his face ran behind him and then I heard this big explosion.
“Within minutes I saw this big gush of smoke and the whole of the store was on fire. I have never seen anything like that,” he said.
The eyewitness added that a few people who were outside rushed to assist, but the flames were fierce, and had “literally swallowed the doorway”.
It is believed that following the cutlass attack by the robbers and the subsequent explosion, the people inside Campus Trendz panicked and ran to the back of the building, trapping themselves in the process.
Over 41 firemen and six tenders fought the blaze which had threatened to extend to other buildings along Tudor Street.
Family members and close friends had kept vigil along the smoke-filled street awaiting word on the fate of their loved ones.
At 10:40 p.m. when the flames had subsided, fire-fighters finally entered through a hole which was dug at the back of the building, where they found a badly-burnt Griffith huddled in the bathroom.
Griffith, 18, of Pile Bay, Spring Garden, St Michael, was rushed into an ambulance, but also died.
By 11:22 p.m. when the last ambulance left there were confirmed reports that five bodies had been recovered.
Scores of onlookers converged on Tudor Street causing numerous problems for police, prompting police public relations officer Inspector David Welch to go live on radio appealing for better behaviour.
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The Government of Barbados need to get back to capital punishment for the young punks there who are committing all of these crimes without any kind of feelings, six young lives gone for no reason, these murderers are still alive, they should be dealt with the same way those young people died, without any trial, this really is very sad especially for the families. I’ve asked God to help you make it through this. BINY.
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Comment LinkNever seem to be able to get you off my mind
Were ever I go it’s like your right there
Beside me holding my hand
Its little things that remind me of you
Like the way you use to look into my eyes
Which always made me feel alive
The way we used to fight over stupid things
Like who loved who the most
Sometimes late at night l picture you laying next to me
I softly whisper in your ear “l love you”
Waiting for you to reply
But silence is all that can be found
I look at my palm the words that were once written there were
Vanished
The only things left are precious memories
Memories of you and me once upon a time
There the only thing that can’t be taken
Its seems like forever since I’ve held you in my arms
How I deeply miss you
I gave all my heart
To the one I loved
And the depth is unbelievable
I gave all i could and managed to fail
You were my wings
My guidance
You showed me how to fly
But didn’t warn me that I would fall this hard.
by:christian.b
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Comment Linki am so sorry for what happen 2 those 6 innocent people. they should punish and then hang the guilty parties 4 what they have done. my hearth goes out 2 the family of the children hang them heartless killers.
R.I.P.
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Comment LinkIn post 15 mentions it’s not safe for tourist to visit Bim…But what about me?...Such crimes have me worried about returning to Barbados…this is a sad case..may GOD have mercy on Barbados…I’ve said before.. Bajans are living blind folded…or with their heads in the sand.
Bajans wake up.
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Comment LinkPage 8 of 8 pages « First < 6 7 8