Although hundreds of people were left homeless after a fire swept through an Abaco shantytown late Tuesday, no one came forward to seek shelter from the authorities up to yesterday afternoon, Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin said.
However, of the nearly 250 residents affected by the fire, which destroyed at least 90 structures at Pigeon Pea, more than 200 people have received food and water, Griffin said.
She told The Nassau Guardian that many of those residents, who are believed to be undocumented migrants, fear repercussions.
"They need it, but they are probably not going to come," she said. "We are hoping that they will come as the word gets around because the shelter is available to them."
Assistant Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour said a team of investigators was at the site yesterday morning trying to determine the cause of the fire.
He said investigators located the area where the fire started and were narrowing down the source.
A woman and a child were killed in that blaze, authorities said.
The fire, which raged over six hours, began around 9:30 p.m., according to Seymour.
Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis, Griffin and other officials traveled to Abaco on Wednesday to conduct an initial assessment.
Davis pledged to assist those affected and said the government will also ensure residents "help themselves" by preventing them from rebuilding unsafe structures with improper electrical set ups.
He said a Ministry of Works official has been appointed to monitor the shantytowns on the island to assist in preventing any further structures from being built contrary to proper regulations.
Seymour said police were assisting in that regard and had already begun the process of clearing the area.
"Next, we will go about identifying the owner of that property to make sure that the owner plays a role too," he said.

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