Too late to save his sweetheart
Jeffrey Joseph, the boyfriend of Pearl Cornelius
Wed, September 08, 2010 - 12:05 AM
“BABY, BABY, the place on fire . . . the place on fire, they robbing the store . . . come and get me.”
These were some of the final words of 18-year-old Pearl Cornelius, one of the victims of last Friday night’s fire tragedy at the Campus Trendz store in Tudor Street, The City.
At the time, Cornelius, affectionately called Amanda by her family and close friends, was speaking to her boyfriend, 21-year-old Jeffrey Joseph.
“I was at home. Me and my mother were watching the news when the television just went black and as soon as it came back on, I got a telephone call from Amanda,” he recalled.
Visited girlfriend
Joseph, an assistant draughtsman with the National Petroleum Corporation (NPC), said he had earlier visited his girlfriend at the Tudor Street store but left just after 6 p.m. to return home.
When he got the news that “Amanda” was trapped in the fire, without hesitation Joseph jumped into his father’s van and drove towards the scene.
But a backup of traffic slowed him down.
“So I just jumped out the van and ran the rest of the way,” he said.
He received several calls from “Amanda” during this period but some of them were interrupted as a result of a malfunctioning phone.
Ran to the back
“The phone ring out a couple of times, but I remember calling her back when I got near to the fire and she said she and the other girls had run to the back of the store in the bathroom.”
Reality soon struck Joseph when he arrived at the scene of the fire.
Not only was the fire frightening as black smoke billowed into the sky, but his efforts to contact his girlfriend proved futile.
“I tried calling back Amanda, but all I was getting was voice mail,” he said.
His worst fears were confirmed several hours afterwards when the news broke that “Amanda”, his childhood sweetheart, was among the six who had perished in the burning building. (TS)
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This is very hard. My condolences to the family and friends of those who perished. I can’t imagine what this could be like.
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Comment Linkif a window or fire escape was to the back of the building the people would be able to go out the building, Barbados have to do something about these older buildings. Instead of people going crazy and might kill an innocent person, take a deep breath and let the police find the right person, I hope people dont go out and kill and innocent person who had nothing to do with this crime.
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Comment LinkAmanda was my childhood friend back in guyana.I pray to God that barbadian police fine the men them they kill innocent young girls life.Tears n more Tears i cry out i wish i could go to guyana for the funeral but i will not get flight but my condolense goes out to Amanda family n the rest of young ladies may they perfect soul rest in peace fly fly away
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Comment LinkNy condolense goes out to 6 young girls and the family. God is not sleeping r i p we love u all
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Comment LinkMay their souls rest in peace and light eternal shine upon them. May God comfort you in this time of grief. My prayers are with all the families who lost someone in this senseless killing.
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Comment LinkMy condolences to the families, not to be judgemental, but why does this guy look somewhat like the sketch posted.
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Comment LinkThis tragedy also calls out for fire training to be given to employees. The Barbados Fire Service could hold workshops just to give the basic skills which can save lives. My thoughts are with their loved ones at this time
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Comment LinkGod giveth and God taketh away. My deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends of the six ladies. May they R.I.P
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Comment Linkmy condolences to all the family and friends dat lost a love one in de fier may those 6 beautifull ladies R.I.P.
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Comment Linkthey should put those [convicted of being] responsible for that fire in a small room and burn the heck out of them.
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