Family devastated as infant killed in fire

The tiny playpen where six-month-old Nyermah Graham once slept now sits as a haunting reminder of the tragedy that unfolded Tuesday morning, when a fire tore through her family's home and claimed the infant's life.

Situated in the hills of Guinep Lane in Montpellier, St James, the blaze erupted moments after 1 a.m., when little Nyermah was inside the house with her father and four siblings. By the time the flames were brought under control, the cheerful infant, who is remembered by relatives for her constant smile, was the only one who did not make it out alive. This has left a grieving family struggling to cope with the devastating loss.

"I dont even know how to feel right now. I am trying to be strong for my wife because she is taking it harder than me," said Sheldon Graham, the father of Nyermah.

"She was cheerful and always a smiling baby. Unless she was having issues, she always a laugh. The moment you take her up, her hand inna yu face. Mi have beard, suh she always a pull it," added Graham.

One charred foot of a Crocs shoe belonging to Nyermah was seen in a section of what's left of the four-bedroom board and concrete structure. Graham recounted what unfolded.

"When I wake me see the fire and the partition between mine and the children's rooms. Mi just bolt through the window and try to open the front door. They were still inside, so I got their bigger brother to help get them out because I couldnt go through the window again," Graham explained.

Nyermah's eldest sibling, 17-year old Trevian Thompson, in a desperate attempt to save her, ran back into the burning house.

"He got near but couldn't take her out. It was too hot and he got burns on his back and feet so he was forced out," said Graham. Trevian was later taken to hospital in ambulance for treatment. The other children are ages 11, seven and three.

The mother, Nymshie Edmond Graham, was at hospital with her 12-year old son when the incident took place. She became uncontrollable at the hospital when the news broke that she lost her baby.

The family members are now only left with the clothes on their backs, as everything was destroyed in the fire. Dave Wright, granduncle of Nyermah, said the tragedy is putting the family in an emotional state.

"The family is devastated. They don't want to talk about it and don't want to remember the incident. Every time we try thinking about it, it's just tears," Wright said. For grandaunt Kayon White, she said the parents, who are still struggling to recover from Hurricane Melissa, have limited support and resources.

"It nuh good at all. This lick real hard and everything upside down right now. I think if it was me, I woulda mad out," said an emotional White.

"Mi caah seh mi know what she guh through, but mi understand. It hard fi lose a child and one in hospital a try focus to get better. Mostly a talk about it mi cry. If somebody were to call mi pan the phone and ask, me start cry," added White.

Meanwhile, Nekeisha Burchell, member of parliament for South St James, said she will be utlising what remains in the constiuency development fund - to what extent it allows - to assist the family.

"I have already reached out to the family and begun making arrangements to provide immediate assistance to help them with some of the urgent needs they now face," said Burchell. "Right now the priority is simply to stand with them and ensure they are not left to face this tragedy alone. I am encouraging community, private companies and donors to help them bounce back."

Persons wishing to assist the Graham family, may donate to National Commercial Bank, account #: 435888100, St James Street branch.