How to get back on track with your life when the flames have destroyed everything you own. Despite themselves, the victims of the rue Peynier, victims of Sunday’s fire, must take up this challenge. A chain of solidarity is organized around them. This is the case of Kervens Louis, one of the five students who lost everything, who receives help from the CCAS of Pointe-à-Pitre and the University of the Antilles. We followed him.
Since Sunday May 5, 2024, several people have found themselves on the streets: the victims of rue Peynier, in Pointe-à-Pitre, where a violent fire affected an entire block of houses. The disaster destroyed five homes, buildings which also housed businesses and professional premises. For two days, the former occupants have been distraught, in shock at having been dispossessed of their property, their personal effects and/or their work tools.
Five students were among those who lost everything in the flames. They were staying in a boarding house, that of Madame Ricly, which burned to the ground.
Two days after the tragedy, the city of Pointe-à-Pitre, through its Municipal Social Action Center (CCAS), deployed resources to support them.
Kervens Louis returned to the scene this Tuesday. Each time, he thinks about everything he had inside: ID, books, lessons, clothes, etc.
All ! Even my identity document, memories when I was in high school… Since I did an artistic BAC, I have memories with other students, with teachers, all that… everything is past there. Not just me, the others too! Even Madame Rilcy, she’s a wonderful lady. She was able to save her skin; she left with her phone and the house key.
Kervens Louis, affected by the fire
The CCAS is organizing itself to receive, very quickly, all the people impacted by the fire, to assess the extent of their losses and their needs.
Concerning the students, their difficulty is accommodation, food and the loss of all their papers and, also, their computers, their means of work, since they are students. In addition, we have set up a psychological support unit, because everyone is very shocked.
Corinne Diakok-Edinval, vice-president of the CCAS of Pointe-à-Pitre
With the help of the University of the West Indies, the affected students must also do everything possible to succeed in their year of study, despite the circumstances and the loss of all their grades.
REPORTING/
Editor: François-Joseph Ousselin
Image reporter: Olivier Duflo
Editor: Frédéric Peyron
Mixer: Teddy Artis
