A devastating fire erupted in Port of Spain on January 14th, resulting in the tragic death of 61-year-old Vernie Rigault and the complete destruction of two adjacent residential properties. The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 AM on Besson Street, where rapidly spreading flames engulfed two single-story concrete-and-metal structures before emergency services could contain the blaze.
According to official police reports, officers on routine patrol responded to emergency calls around 12:15 PM, arriving to find both properties already suffering extensive fire damage. Firefighting teams from both Wrightson Road and Belmont Fire Stations were promptly deployed to the scene, though the intensity of the inferno presented significant challenges during suppression efforts.
During subsequent recovery operations, firefighters discovered Rigault’s charred remains in the bathroom area of her home. Her husband, 75-year-old McDonald Cabrera, who was not present during the incident, later formally identified the body. The adjacent property suffered severe structural damage, though fortunately no additional casualties were reported as the residence was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
While authorities have confirmed the absence of suspicious circumstances, the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined. Investigators from Homicide Region One have initiated a comprehensive investigation to establish the origin and circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
In response to the emergency, Housing Minister David Lee extended official condolences to the affected families, having been notified of the incident through Laventille West MP Kareem Marcelle. The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) immediately activated emergency protocols, providing temporary accommodation solutions for displaced residents.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing Phillip Alexander personally visited the disaster site on January 14th to assess damage and coordinate relief efforts. During his visit, Alexander formally presented temporary housing keys to affected families, including McDonald Cabrera, ensuring immediate shelter arrangements. The Ministry has committed to ongoing monitoring of the situation with additional support measures to be implemented as necessary.