On July 27, 2021 the nation was plunged into mourning after live videos surfaced online showing the agony after three children perished in a house fire in Maraval after they were trapped inside by fortified doors and burglar-proofing.
On July 26, Ezekiel, 17, Faith, six, and Kayden Burke, three, after they were smothered by thick billowing smoke in their Rookery Nook, Maraval home. Their sisters Zaria, 13, and Jeniceia Burke, 15, were rescued in the nick of time. An investigation into the fire was completed in September. Chief fire officer Arnold Bristo told Newsday on Friday a electrical circuit overload started the fire.
First responder Evans Hinds, a security officer at the nearby RBC Maraval branch who leaped into action after being alerted by screams for help.
[caption id="attachment_968707" align="alignnone" width="576"] Ezekiel Burke[/caption]
In an interview with Sunday Newsday, he recalled the events leading up to the attempted rescue and how the events of that day haunts him to this day.
That morning started as a regular day for Hinds.
He arrived to work around 7.20 am to cover another double-shift at the RBC carpark, a stone’s throw away from the house.
In the middle of his morning devotion, he said his usual prayer asking God for strength, wisdom, knowledge, guidance and the ability to deal with any obstacles that would come his way.
“I got no bad vibes or feelings that something was going to take place,” he said as he gazed at the remains of the now demolished building. Soon after he started working he heard a loud scream coming from the house.
“When I look down in the direction of the house I saw Ezekiel in the gallery screaming for help and there was a lot of fire and smoke.
“I ran to him and into the blazing flame. I moved as fast as I could.”
Their parents, Troy Burke and Jenille Rodriguez, were not at home when the fire started.
[caption id="attachment_968709" align="alignnone" width="768"] Faith Burke[/caption]
Hinds was able to extinguish a power line that ran from a light pole to the bank before the fire could spread to that building.
“I ran back over to assist Ezekiel who was partially burnt in the gallery. Unfortunately, the pressure of the water was low around here at that time but I did my best. I ran over to the bank, unhooked up the hose and started to wet him.”
Hinds said he has never seen fear in the eyes of a person the way the teen looked at him as he begged him for help. “He kept saying security I don’t want to die. I was looking in his eyes right through. I told him to stay in the corner I will keep wetting him and I will try my best. I tried to hold him to pull him through. “
But his efforts were not enough to go against the fiercely burning fire. “His head caught on fire, his clothes and then his skin. He burnt to death right in front of me. I knew that was it.”
He said a doubles vendor and bypassers joined in to help and minutes later fire officials arrived.
“We heard the two younger children screaming inside but then they went silent. We kne
