Housing Minister David Burch last night called for the community to come together to help tenants left homeless by the Leopards’ Club fire.

Mr. Burch confirmed the Ministry of Public Safety and Housing was “assessing the circumstances” of the residents but warned that the Bermuda Housing Corporation’s (BHC) emergency housing facilities were at 100 percent capacity.

He said the Ministry had offered to register the residents with the BHC on Saturday, but they had indicated they were “not concerned” and did not wish to move.

Since then, BHC staff have been liasing with the Department of Financial Assistance to try to help.

“While we are sympathetic to their plight, and while this Government does not wish to see any person without shelter, admittedly, there is a limited amount of emergency housing stock,” said Mr. Burch. “That said, I urge those affected to register with the Bermuda Housing Corporation so that the appropriate accommodations can be provided for them.

“However I also think it is prudent to remind that Bermuda is a community that prides itself on helping those in need, and this is a prime opportunity for our community to come together to aid our fellow Bermudians.

“Additionally, I want to encourage family members of the affected Leopard’s Club tenants to do their part and come to the aid of their relatives.”

Mr. Burch said that last June all the building’s then-tenants were interviewed by the BHC at the request of Leopards’ Club management. He said they were all encouraged to register with the BHC, but only two out 14 did so.