Questions over why ministers allowed access to Morris-Julian’s property

Questions are now being raised about why members of the T&T Fire Services (TTFS) allowed Government ministers to access the burnt-out ruins of the late Lisa Morris-Julian’s home on Monday, following the fire that claimed the lives of the minister and her two children.

There are now concerns that allowing this access may have compromised forensic evidence at the site, which remains a crime scene until both fire and TTPS officials complete their investigations into the cause of the blaze.

Members of the public initially took to social media to express their outrage at the occurence hours after the fire claimed the lives of D’Abadie/O’Meara MP Morris-Julian and her children Jesiah Morris-Julian, six; and Xianne Morris-Julian, 25. The three were burnt to death in the fire which gutted their home at Farfan Street around 5.30 am.

Among some of the ministers who were allowed access to the property were Energy Minister Stuart Young; Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales; National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds; Planning Minister Penny Beckles and Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly

Contacted on the issue yesterday, a senior TTFS official was unable to say why a select group of ministers were allowed into the premises.

While he declined to speculate on the issue, the senior officer admitted, “I have no idea why they were allowed in the area. It should not have been and they were asked to leave that area.”

Meanwhile, senior T&T Police Service (TTPS) officials were also stumped by the move, as they too agreed such actions could have compromised the evidence, as the scene had not yet been cleared by forensic analysts.

Guardian Media understands the investigation to determine the exact cause of the blaze is still ongoing and it is hoped this would be completed by today.

Equally upset over the number of persons allowed access to the crime scene, the police explained there were two levels of cordoning – inner and outer – usually activated at any crime scene, including fires, accidents and homicides. This, they advised, was to ensure the preservation of the crime scene and ensure there is no contamination of evidence which can help investigators make exact determinations later on.

Members of the public took to Facebook after images of the Government officials accessing the proper surfaced online.

Bluestar Lms questioned on FB, “What is he doing there? The building is a hazardous site, only fire officers should be in there until deemed fit for re-entry, then investigator can do their jobs. If a crime was committed, not saying one was, but the way things are in this country you never know. He has contaminated the scene. I guess he treated this as yet another photo opt.”

Mahase Koonj Beharry lamented, “No one will know the truth now…..Minister of everything…”

Following Monday’s tragedy, Morris-Julian’s husband Daniel, 49, underwent emergency surgery after sustaining severe burns about the body and remained hospitalised at the Intensive Care Unit of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, yesterday.

Four other persons who were injured during the incident were treated and discharged from hospital yesterday.

Morris-Julian’s remaining children, aged 39, 22 and 17; along with a male family friend, aged 23; were the other victims who managed to escape the burning structure.

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