Pain over loss
The six who perished.
By Tim Slinger | Sun, September 05, 2010 - 12:00 AM
Barbadians, in national shock and disbelief, yesterday called on the authorities to bring back hanging.
Ordinary citizens and business people alike were reacting to Friday night’s inferno that caused the death of six young women trapped in the Campus Trendz store in Tudor Street, The City, after a robbery.
Attorney General Freundel Stuart, who toured the scene of the fire yesterday, described the tragedy as Barbadians “being taught a very harsh lesson that such crimes were not limited to people in other parts of the world”.
“They can happen here; and we now have to look into our own backyard and clean it up,” Stuart said, adding: “These are issues we have to resolve. and we are certainly in the process of dealing with them.”
Opposition Leader Mia Mottley called on Barbadians to pray for the victims’ families.
“That they would have died in a fire is tragic. That it would have happened as a result of the actions of others is terribly cruel. It causes us to wonder what is happening in our society and how people could do such a thing,” Mottley said.
Among the dead in the Campus Trendz blaze at Tudor Street in The City were three of the clothing store’s employees and three shoppers.
The employees were Kellisha Olliviere, 24, of Wellington Street, The City; Shanna Griffith, 18, of Pile Bay, Spring Garden, St Michael; and Pearl Amanda Cornelius, 18, of London Bourne Towers, The City.
The shoppers were Kelly-Ann Welch, 24, of Montrose, Christ Church; Tiffany Harding, 23, of Upper Collymore Rock, St Michael; and Nikita Belgrave, 23, of Shop Hill, St Thomas.
Chief Fire Officer Wilfred Marshall said yesterday that if the Tudor Street store had had an alternative exit, he reckoned the six women would have been able to escape or be saved from their fiery death.
The families of the deceased were yesterday still grappling with the reality of their loss – some too stricken to express their feelings, others angered by the circumstances that led to the untimely deaths.
“This ain’t right. I want revenge. Something has to be done when innocent people are getting killed. These are acts of terrorism. My sister was a good woman,” said Harding’s brother Andre, who noted it was the sixth time in five years that the Harding family of Upper Collymore Rock, St Michael, had been plunged into mourning.
Welch’s best friend Neisha Cave fought back tears as she told of a chilling cellphone call she received Friday night telling her Welch was in a store that was being robbed.
She said she darted off from Swan Street toward her friend, but was met by a Campus Trendz on fire and Welch nowhere to be seen.
Another heart-rending episode came from City vendor Alvin Babb who, along with two others, tried unsuccessfully to rescue those inside the burning building.
Babb said that as long as he lived those screams from inside the building would remain with him.
Police last night were still hunting the two culprits responsible for one of Barbados’ worst tragedies.
Appeal to public
In a passionate appeal, police public relations officer Inspector David Welch last night urged all Barbadians to do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice.
He urged members of the public who were in the vicinity of the area about 7 p.m. to assist the police with any information that could lead to the arrest of the two men.
Their descriptions are as follows:
Suspect one was wearing a blue or black peak cap, white T-shirt with horizontal green stripes, dark-coloured pants and a pair of black shoes. He is about five feet, four inches tall, of slim build and of dark complexion.
Suspect two is about five feet, six inches tall, of slim build, and of dark complexion, with a long face with a turned-up nose, and black Afro hairstyle.
According to police, the two men ran away from the scene towards adjoining Milk Market Street before turning left into nearby Watkins Alley, which leads to Mason Hall Street and Chapman Lane in The City.
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my god thats a serious shame for the families my thoughts goes out 2 them all de way from london uk england ... i hope de police really do something since WOGGY & BARRYJACK are dead ......first WINSTON HALL ...... now dis shame ....
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Comment LinkMay the Lord shine his light eternal upon the dead.
May the culprits be caught soon.
May all those responsible for enforcing strict building codes be more vigilant with their jobs!!
May all those who have information on the murderers call the Police Dept.
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Comment LinkMy prayers and condolences to the families.This is for them-
I think of you and start to cry,
There was no time to say goodbye
As we were ripped apart.
But your love remains with me
And you will always…ALWAYS be
Forever in my heart.
R.I.P
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Comment LinkCorrection, Rasta Richard,
it is not a serious shame for the families because the families have nothing to be ‘shame’ about! Those young ladies were out working, trying to earn a living! Rather, the SHAME & DISGRACE was brought about by these two SAVAGES who preyed on those six defenseless women.
It is a BIG DISGRACE when some of the young men in Barbados would rather rob stores and set fires than WORK!
My question is.. Why wasn’t a (male) Security Guard not present with only ‘female’ employees on duty in that store? These robbers could have been checking things out for a long time before they finally robbed the store.
Strict building codes are needed, but a few Security Guards and Security Cameras are needed in most of those stores as well…
This would cause one to think twice about returning to Barbados for a visit and shopping in those one-door stores in Bridgetown.
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Comment LinkWhat has happened to the old fashion upbringing in Barbados. Mothers/fathers/grandparents/aunts and uncles you need to teach your children to abide by the law of the land. I know the world is changing, but Bimshire we can be an example of what it feels like to live in a crime free environment like some middleeastern countries like Dubai. You do the crime, now do the time.
My prayers go out the families of those who have lost love ones.
I pray that the government of Barbados be stricter on crimes and set an example by letting those who have no regard for human life know that “there is no hiding place after you have violated the serenity of our beautiful country”.
Find them and punish them to the maximum that the law allows.
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Comment LinkMy condolence is extended to the families of the six precious souls, who were lost in a senseless act of savagery. As you in Barbados, honor these six wonderful young women on friday, we Bajans living abroad, will endeavor to do the same. Please my fellow bajans, reflect in your periods of at-one-ment (Atonement)and muster the courage to back the political establishment, in investing in the jurisprudence that is necessary to execute these criminals. The death penalty is the only deterrent to these kinds of heinous acts. My fellow bajans, we are at the threshold of serious times, you must vigorously fight against the ruthlessness of the wicked, and protect the innocence of the aged, the children, and those unable to protect themselves. Leave no stones unturned, in finding and bringing to justice, these depraved criminals.
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Comment LinkI still say that the only response to a crime like this is to do what God would say: Purge the nation (Land) of crimes and criminals like this. It bothers me that some “Criminal” lawyer will get them life in prison and the families of these girls will be punished further by having to feed and clothe them. Cant Bajans see what Barbados is coming to? You can listen to the Human Rights organizations or you can listen to God. You will see whose words will lead to a better or worst Barbados.
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Comment LinkIt is sad how these people lost their lives in such a tragic way. We know at some time we are going to die, so when there is illness of a terminal nature I do believe it is more acceptable. I can only hope these culprits are found sooner rather than later before they hurt anyone again. As one writer commented on visiting Barbados and shopping in these one door places, I visited 2 years ago and was appalled to see how Cave Shepherd, Norman Center, another store where Chefette is located within and big stores have been turned into so-called malls for revenue. At that time fire was something I thought of, even though they maybe more ways of exiting in some of these places I think it is time those in authority in Barbados take a new look and update the building codes. Very few homes have (1)door therefore places of establishment should have more than(1)ways of exiting especially when it’s the same used for entrance with visible as well as emergency exits. This should never have happen.
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