TWENTY persons were yesterday left homeless after a swift-moving fire badly damaged their townhouses in the community of Hamilton Gardens in Gregory Park, Portmore, St Catherine.

The fire started at approximately 8:30 am at 50 Begona Avenue and, aided by the wind, quickly leapt to the adjoining houses, numbering from 51E to 46E, according to a report prepared by fire brigade authorities

Six children were among the homeless, according to the fire brigade. There were no reports of deaths or injuries. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. No one was home at the building where the fire started.

Two of the five affected houses were badly damaged and the fire brigade estimates the losses at $30 million. Most of the damage was to the upstairs section of the houses.

Staff members from the St Catherine South office of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security were quick on the scene to assess the immediate needs of the fire victims. Manager Hugh Duhaney told the Observer that help would start arriving today.

When the Observer arrived on the scene yesterday afternoon, there was still a large convergence of people from surrounding communities. Homeowners were being assisted with the clean-up exercise by helpful neighbours.

In the badly affected homes, people lost everything. Especially painful for the victims was the loss of their childrens back-to-school supplies of books, bags and uniforms, and, in one case, school fee. Items not destroyed by fire did not escape the water as firemen fought the blaze.

Keneisha Lowe, a mother of two children 14 and nine years old was a picture of grief. While she was thankful that no one was hurt, she bemoaned the fact that her children may not be able to attend school at the opening of the term next month. The $17,000 school fee for her son, Keron Green, who attends Jamaica College, went up in flames. Her daughter Timeria Johnson attends Bridgeport Primary.

I dont know what to do, she lamented, Its like a dream.

About two other high school students one from Holy Childhood and one Merl Grove were also affected.

Homeowner Errol Scott stood akimbo in his house two homes away from where the fire started. Decked in worn-out shorts and no shirt, he watched as neighbours helped to push water from the house.

What you see me in is all I have [left], he said, somehow managing a smile.

Residents, as well as the fire brigade blamed the extent of the damage on the design of the houses. All the damaged homes are covered under a continuous stretch of roofing.

They must stop build houses like this, said fire victim Clifford Thompson. You buy you house and cant even walk around it.