Fire victim's family express gratitude to community
The family of a retired businessman who died in a house fire has thanked members of the community for their support.
Gordon Howard, 67, succumbed to smoke inhalation during Wednesday's early morning blaze at his home in Warwick.
His wife Gail, and daughters Jennifer and Claire, managed to escape. Jennifer, a teenager, was later taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation but released yesterday.
The family has declined to speak to the media about the incident, but issued a statement through a hospital spokeswoman yesterday stating: "We would like to extend appreciation to everyone in the community for their kind support during our time of loss."
Firefighters arrived around 1.40 a.m. on Wednesday to find the two-storey home in Fairways Road engulfed in smoke and flames.
When they entered the home, they found Mr. Howard along with two family dogs that had also succumbed to smoke inhalation — Casey, a German Shepherd and Abby, a Pomeranian.
Initial reports about the incident suggested Mr. Howard may have died trying to rescue the pets from the blaze, and the fire service said it was believed he perhaps went back into the house.
However, Fire Service spokeswoman Lieutenant Wenda Godfrey clarified that statement yesterday, saying it was made in the context of an investigation that is still exploring all possibilities.
"As part of a thorough investigation, all information shall be considered when trying to determine the cause of the fire," she said.
An inquest into Mr. Howard's death could be held at the request of the Coroner, but the cause of the fire must be determined first.
"The Bermuda Police Service and the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service are carrying out an investigation into the cause of the house fire that resulted in the death of Mr. Gordon Howard," said Coroner's Officer Lyndon Raynor.
"Once the investigation has been completed a file will be submitted to the Coroner for consideration as to whether an inquest would be required according to his powers under the Coroner's Act."
