Words probably can’t properly describe how persons whose homes burned out in the Dutch Quarter area early Sunday evening (see Monday paper) must feel. Just imagine having the place where you live and keep your belongings go up in flames.
The hilltop blaze apparently spread quickly from a dwelling to several others. While clearly not as horrible as the recent deadly dormitory fire in Guyana, for the residents involved it is no doubt a big blow.
They will probably get assistance from the Red Cross and governmental humanitarian aid providers, but that won’t take away their grief. One can only hope the owners are adequately insured.
Help will nevertheless be needed by inhabitants, certainly in the beginning. Although this is by no means the easiest of socioeconomic times for many, those able to do so are encouraged to give where possible.
It is at tragic moments like these that the community spirit should prevail, with a strong sense of empathy and compassion. That, to some extent, determines a society’s level of civilisation.
As the great late John Lennon of The Beatles wrote back in 1969: Come together right now.
