A family of five is homeless and reeling today after a fire ravaged through their St. George's residence yesterday.

The destructive path of the flames took not only all their practical belongings but also years of photos and family mementos with it.

While everything from clothes to furniture was lost, family matriarch Ruby Goater said she was most upset about the pictures and memories swept away in the blaze, which she called "irreplaceable". The fire left the home that Ruby shared with her two sons 12-year-old Jahru and 10-year-old Jakeem as well as her daughter Crystal and Crystal's infant son Crysaje, uninhabitable.

Bermuda Fire Service received an emergency call to the fire at the Old Military Road home, which the family had been renting from Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC), at 11.41 a.m. yesterday and responded within ten minutes

Crystal Goater told The Royal Gazette that she heard the fire sirens racing to the area from her workplace, Robertson's Drug Store in St. George's. She said her first thought went to the safety of her ten-month-old son, who was at a nearby nursery school.

She learned, however, that while her son was safe, the family home was ablaze its inhabitants having left for work, school and nursery just three short hours before.

"When I got the phone call (from her mother about the fire) I couldn't believe it because I saw the firetrucks and my first thought was about my son, because he goes to nursery up the hill," Crystal said.Soon she was on the scene watching firefighters battle the blaze in an attempt to save the home.

The Fire Service sent seven vehicles and 17 personnel to the site and were able to douse the flames but heat and smoke damage gutted the home. "Pretty much everything would be lost," said Lieutenant Dana Lovell of the damage.

The cause of the fire is unknown, however, the Fire Service is investigating.

The Goater family was still in shock yesterday as they looked upon their shambled home but they remained philosophical.

"I'm trying to keep my spirits up because it could've been a lot worse," said Crystal. "If it's a new beginning then it's okay, it is probably something that will bring us closer, but when it comes to security, I hope we are safe. "

The family will now be staying with Ruby's daughter Racquel for the next few days. Yesterday they were completely unsure what the future would hold for them or whether BHC would secure a new residence for them.

Last night, however, Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, Senator David A. Burch said in a statement that BHC would find a home for the family

"I have received a briefing from the BHC and can advise that the fire at the property was quite extensive," Minister Burch said. "As a result of the damage, the family will be relocated by the BHC. I have been advised that the family will be staying with relatives until we can finalise the relocation arrangements.

"I want to take this opportunity to commend the officers of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service for their efforts to contain and extinguish the blaze, and for ensuring the safety of those in the immediate area so that no serious injury occurred." l Anyone interested in helping the Goater family bounce back from their tragedy is encouraged to call Crystal on 534-4828.