Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer

Firemen attempt to out flames at a house on Gully Road in Charles Town, St Ann's Bay, St Ann, yesterday. - Roger Robinson/Freelance Photographer

OCHO RIOS, St Ann:

Seven persons were left homeless yesterday morning when fire destroyed their four-bedroom house on Gully Road in St Ann's Bay.

The fire was reportedly caused by a little boy who was playing with matches in a back room of the house.

The fire caught a mattress and then quickly spread to other sections of the building, destroying all its contents.

Firefighters estimate the loss at $6 million.

Owner of the house, Allan Jones, and members of his household were totally devastated by the loss and some cried openly as they stared helplessly at the burning building.

Some residents tried to assist, but the intense heat kept them at bay and, by the time firefighters arrived on the scene, the entire building was engulfed in flames.

Acting district officer at the St Ann's Bay Fire Station, Dervin Brown, said firemen received a call about 8:40 a.m. that a building was on fire.

He said they responded immediately but, by the time they got there, the house was fully ablaze.

Brown said the two fire units that visited the scene were able to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby buildings.