A 69-year-old pensioner from Congo Village in Debe is demonstrating remarkable resilience as he recovers from dual medical crises stemming from a heroic rescue. Jairam ‘Baba’ Balliramsingh sustained first-degree burns on November 22nd after charging into his burning residence to save his five-year-old grandson from advancing flames. While initially treated in the intensive care unit at San Fernando General Hospital for his burns, Balliramsingh recently suffered a stroke that has complicated his recovery journey. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Teaching Hospital where medical staff report encouraging progress.
According to family members, the fire erupted unexpectedly in the living room of the family’s two-story concrete home around 9 am. Balliramsingh and his wife Rosina initially mistook the smoke for routine trash burning nearby. The situation turned critical when they discovered flames engulfing their living room and heard young Travis screaming from an adjacent bedroom. Disregarding his own safety, Balliramsingh battled through intense heat and flames to locate his grandson, ultimately passing the child through a window to safety.
The family has experienced significant emotional trauma from the consecutive emergencies. ‘When we got the news of the stroke, we did not know how to break it to our mother,’ explained Ryan Balliramsingh, one of Jairam’s sons. ‘She was already very worried about his condition.’ Despite the challenges, the family reports that Balliramsingh is ‘pulling through’ with his burn wounds healing satisfactorily. Medical staff note that while medication leaves him frequently drowsy, he remains communicative and aware of his surroundings.
The rescued grandson, Travis Jagroo, was hospitalized for observation due to smoke inhalation but was discharged on November 24th. The emotional connection between grandfather and grandson remains strong, with Travis repeatedly asking to visit his rescuer. The family arranged a hospital visit that brought visible joy to both generations. Investigations into the fire’s cause continue with no other injuries reported.