By CECILY ASSON Monday, September 7 2009

Investigators are yet to determine what caused a fire in which two adults and four children died in Couva on August 22.

The victims were pregnant mother Vanessa Chinapoo, 33, her children Sarah, 12, Chiam, nine, Moses, eight, her niece-in-law Chenelle Dixon, 22, and two-year- old nephew Elijah Narine.

The six victims died from smoke inhalation when they became trapped inside their home at Mc Bean, Couva during the fire. Rescue efforts were hampered when the roof of the building collapsed on the occupants as they tried to get to safety.

Investigations by the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (TTEC) have so far ruled the fire was not electrical and a report has since been handed over to the Fire Services. The Fire Services still have to submit a report to the Couva Police Station before a police investigation can begin. A senior fire officer at the Chaguanas Fire Station has assured the investigations are continuing. Since the fire, Chenelle Dixon’s mother Sophia has been living at the home of a friend.

Sophia said her brother Darren, the father of Sarah, Chaim and Moses remains traumatised over their deaths. So too is her daughter Cheneil, the mother of Elijah.

“We are all still struggling with the deaths, but we have each other and that will help us through,” said Sophia.