BOGUE HEIGHTS, St James - Catholic lay minister John Marzouca died in a fire that razed his house yesterday, leaving the church in mourning.

Marzouca. was in good health

According to Michael Walker, who lives at the same apartment as Marzouca, about 5:00 yesterday morning he became aware of the fire which was confined to Marzouca's room.

A grieving Walker explained that after calling out to Marzouca and failing to get a response, he tried to open the door but was unsuccessful.

Walker said that he subsequently rushed outside for a hose, and with the assistance of a neighbour attempted to put out the blaze. But they had to retreat in the face of the smoke and searing heat.

"I was trying to brace the door but I could not go in. So I ran back and woke up the youths and got out. I then ran outside for a hose. Then my neighbour and I tried to put out the fire but we couldn't stay in there for long because the heat and the smoke kept us away from the door," Walker recounted.

The fire was eventually put out by firefighters from the Montego Bay Fire Department.

The charred remains of Marzouca were discovered behind the door.

Yesterday, when the Observer visited the premises, Marzouca's burnt belongings told the grim tale.

Father Carl Clarke of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Montego Bay was distraught at the news of Marzouca's passing.

"It has caught us by surprise. Very sad," said Father Clarke. "He was in good health and everything, so to learn this morning that he went home to the Lord with no warning is sad."

He recalled that he last saw Marzouca alive last week when they attended the preparation and celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart.

Father Clarke was visiting yesterday at the Good Shepherd Foundation Hospice, an arm of the Catholic Church where "neglected" persons, especially those afflicted with HIV/AIDS are housed. Marzouca was an administrator at the Good Shepherd Foundation Hospice