A catastrophic fire in Vega de Oropouche, east Trinidad, on November 7 left three homes and a mini-mart in ruins, but the timely intervention of a vigilant neighbor saved 15 lives, including seven children. The blaze erupted around 3 am in a mini-mart, where LPG gas tanks exploded, rapidly spreading the inferno to adjacent homes. The neighbor, preparing for his market work, noticed the fire and immediately alerted residents by honking his car horn and shouting warnings. His actions prompted the frightened families to flee, though they lost nearly all their possessions. Tragically, a pet dog perished in the flames, and two vehicles were destroyed. Residents expressed frustration over the delayed response from the Sangre Grande Fire Station, which was reportedly locked and unmanned. Firefighters from Arima eventually arrived over an hour later to extinguish the blaze. Taryn Bhola, a resident severely burned while attempting to salvage belongings, described the ordeal as surreal and emphasized the need for better emergency services. Local officials provided immediate aid, including mattresses, food, and access to government grants for rebuilding. The incident has sparked widespread criticism of the fire service’s inadequacies, with Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander acknowledging systemic issues and pledging improvements.