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UPDATE: ‘My parents weren’t trapped!’ - Reginald Hodge

- ‘Thank God we are all safe, no life lost’
July 3rd, 2014 | Tags: fire West End rescue brave woman
The home of Mr Jonny and Mrs Rosanna Hodge on fire this morning July 2, 2014. Photo: Team of Reporters
Residents blamed the absence of a fire tender assigned for the area for the complete destruction of the Hodge's home today July 2, 2014. Photo: Team of Reporters
Residents blamed the absence of a fire tender assigned for the area for the complete destruction of the Hodge's home today July 2, 2014. Photo: Team of Reporters
A female resident is deemed the heroine for rescuing the two elderly people from the West End home. Photo: Team of Reporters
A female resident is deemed the heroine for rescuing the two elderly people from the West End home. Photo: Team of Reporters
WEST END, Tortola, VI – Being very upbeat that his parents are alive, well and unhurt having withstood the ordeal of losing their home to a mid-day fire yesterday July 2, 2014, son of Mr and Mrs Hodge, Reginald Hodge said that his parents were not trapped at the time the fire broke out.

Speaking with this news site the Junior Mr Hodge said that his parents had to be aided out of the house but this was done with much ease resulting in them being safe and alive.

Mr Hodge said that he got the disturbing news of their home being on fire while he was at work.

He said that for last night he and parents spent the night with family. He said he couldn’t give a true report of the damage at this time as he has not been able to do an assessment.

He also took special time out to extend much gratitude to the persons who assisted his parents, those who have been calling to offer words of support, comfort and assistance.

See previous story published July 2, 2014:

‎Fire destroys West End house

- brave woman rescues elderly couple from burning house

WEST END, Tortola, VI - This news site has confirmed through its team of reporters that a fire this morning has left three homeless in the West End community.

They are Jonny, Rosanna and Reginald Hodge. Details are sketchy as to what time the fire started and the extent of the losses.

However, it has been confirmed that Mr and Mrs Rosanna and Jonny Hodge were trapped in the house at the time the fire was noticed by public spirited persons.

Reports have confirmed that it was a courageous woman who responded, broke into the house and rescued the two elderly residents.

Residents of West End bemoan the fact that their constant cries for governments to equip the community with a fire station and fire tenders have continued to bear no fruit. They said that currently firefighters are on the scene but had they been closer, the family's home had a good chance of being saved.

"If not the home lots of their belongings would have been saved. We begging for so long for a fire tender down here and we getting nowhere," said a concerned resident who is currently on the scene.

We will bring you further details as they unfold.

33 Responses to “UPDATE: ‘My parents weren’t trapped!’ - Reginald Hodge”

  • Capoons Bay (02/07/2014, 12:11) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
    Is there a fire station just over the hill at Capoons Bay? Why does West End need another and its right over the hill.
    • Elle (02/07/2014, 13:22) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      The fire station is not being used.
    • shut down (02/07/2014, 15:33) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      Them shut it down because they had fire trucks that looked like they themselves would catch fire if them drive um too long.
    • l (02/07/2014, 16:18) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      The fire station is supposed to service the entire western end. The probem is that the station has been closed for years.
    • chad (02/07/2014, 16:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      the building is there in cappoons bay but it was closed down so the nearest station is in town
  • open wide (02/07/2014, 12:31) Like (36) Dislike (20) Reply
    This is a sin how the NDP closed the west end fire station and the west end police station they hate the first and third districts
    • Gin (02/07/2014, 19:42) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
      Stop blame the NDP for everything. How the hell the district rep allow for the closing of the fire station and build toilets in the graveyard. Not every daY there is a funeral. It is important to prioritize.
    • tretretrete (03/07/2014, 11:11) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      That fire station close long before the the NDP get in power
  • ooooo (02/07/2014, 13:06) Like (37) Dislike (6) Reply
    see wha andrew was talking about now?
    • @ooooo (03/07/2014, 17:22) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      lol. you are unbelieveable!!! That station closed long before NDP but people like you will never see the truth even it walked up and bite you in the a@@. Why did he and you not used water from the toilets in grave yard to help out that fire in West End. Stop blaming people for the ignorance of others.
  • set up (02/07/2014, 13:22) Like (2) Dislike (22) Reply
    I have a feeling some of these things that happen are set up just for political gain and blame, talk about it then let make it happen to proven a point sacrifice in their evils
  • Nasty Dirty People (02/07/2014, 13:39) Like (24) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hon. Fahie asked Hon. Mark Vanterpool, Minister for Communications and Works when the fire station in Capoon’s Bay will be fully operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; equipped with a fire tender stationed there; staffed full-time and maintained; and upgraded, inclusive of the road to enter and exit the compound, since First District is a highly populated area. However, Hon. Fahie did not receive the answer he was looking for. "While I agree that this is a much needed project, I must say that it is not within the 2014 budgetary considerations," Minister Vanterpool stated. Hon. Fahie then appealed for at least one pump. "Could the Minister say if he is going to appeal to the Minister of Finance to get this done because the residents of the First District, they do not have the police; do not have the fire truck. Can we get some, a lilttle thing, at least a pump," Hon. Fahie pleaded.
    Minister Vanterpool did not budge.
    • Kim (03/07/2014, 08:22) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      you talking foolishness vg has more tourist than any out station and vg cannt even go 24 hour vg has both fire and ambulance talking about up grade look at vg station since the 80's
    • "HM" (07/07/2014, 18:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am from the first district and that station has been closed over 10 years now. Mr. Fahie was in power for 15 years now 8 of which VIP was in. What kind on nonsense is that. Why should we be without a station soo long and soo much unnecessary money have been spent on all kind of things that's less important over the years in the first district. It's a shame things have to happen for people to open their eyes.
  • west man (02/07/2014, 13:55) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Come on Action man get the station open it was not open from VIP time,people wouldn't say that but they want to blame ndp ,so please please get the station open.
  • Karen (02/07/2014, 14:44) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    The courages woman's name is Lucilla Malone who had just finished her b'fast shift at the Clubhouse. The managment and staff are very proud of her. May God protect the victims and our very own Lucilla.
    • Stop It (02/07/2014, 23:03) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
      Stop looking praise for something u didn't do.
      • Karen (03/07/2014, 17:47) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        What is wrong with your literacy sweet heart. No where in my statment suggests I was looking for praise. It amazes how people are more absorbed by the politics, bathrooms, and burial grounds instead of the two lives that were saved by this lady. Wow.
  • Boss (02/07/2014, 14:45) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    y these people always blame blame,those fire guys r pro can handle anything dont need a fire truck in every village people. Stop making stupid accusation
  • BVIslander (02/07/2014, 15:33) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    To Capoon's bay. If you was knowledgable of whats happening on this island, you would have known that the fire station in capoon's bay is closed and closed for a long time now. The people is not asking for a station directly in west end but at least for the one in capoon's bay to be available for disasters like this one. you fool. some of ayo really went to school to play instead of learn.
  • l (02/07/2014, 16:21) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is a shame. If they would only reopen the fire station in Cappoons Bay this kind of thing could be avoided.
    • beth (03/07/2014, 18:46) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      What would be avoided if they "reopen the fire station in Cappoons Bay"? I do not understand this statement, so please explain.
  • Contract (02/07/2014, 20:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It have so many water truck in the district why the government don't contract them for incident like these
  • wise up (02/07/2014, 20:51) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hon Fahie you have “goat mouth”...it was at the last sitting of the house of assembly 13 june that you asked the government about the fire station for the western side of the islands; you also asked about the police station being closed in west end... the security and emergency services on the western side of tortola is just a mess !!!!! run go that that ?????? BUT the ruling party can tell the people of the territory how many millions of dollars in the reserve funds while our people are exposed all manner of bull $#it

  • Kim (03/07/2014, 08:36) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    I am sorry keep in mind that all station on the out shirts need to be open 24 hr but the reality is Fire is not bringing in any money so the Gorvernment looks at they are giving out to this dept and moneies not coming in we need value for money not seeing the big picture
  • JACK BE STILL (03/07/2014, 12:39) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank god everyone is alive
  • qc (03/07/2014, 13:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If that is the case taht someone had died den the minister shouldn't resign too as dem got the fire place close?
  • Liat 521 (03/07/2014, 13:52) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    What a shame when the NDP close the police station and fire station on the west end .......free up the police them .......
  • Relative (04/07/2014, 07:31) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Enough already about NDP and VIP! 30 comments only 1 wishing well for our family. BVI where is the love and support that we once knew? Thank you "Jack Be Still". God forgive us for we still do not know what we are doing to each other and our country with these nasty comments tears..tears... My heart is aching for how we are tearing down each other even in times of tragedy. My family is thankful for the lives spared and we will continue to be strong with God's help!


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