EZEKIEL BURKE, 17, died a hero in trying to save his two younger siblings, Faith, six and Kayden, three, from the inferno that consumed their Maraval home and their lives last Monday, the children's aunt Lettitia Rodriguez said at their joint funeral on Friday.
The service took place at the Church on the Rock, Morvant, and was streamed online.
[caption id="attachment_905752" align="alignnone" width="879"] Jenille Rodriguez (left) mother of the three childern who perished in a house fire at Rookery Nook in Maraval at the Church of Rock in Morvant where the funeral service was held. - Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]
The nation was shocked by the deaths of the children, whose dying screams were caught on video footage that showed unrelenting flames blazing from floor to roof of their home at Rookery Nook.
Their two sisters escaped.
Reports were that Ezekiel had made his way to the front of the building to shout for help for his trapped siblings. Church official Bro Cuthbert Tracey said Ezekiel should get a national award, declaring "Trying to save his siblings, he lost his life."
Inside the church, which was near-empty owing to covid19 precautions, three white caskets covered in flowers lay side by side –one medium, one large, and lastly one small.
"Ezekiel, you are a hero. You are my hero," Rodriguez said in her tribute. "I could say once more, you did just what I told you, looking after your sisters and brothers. You are my hero."
She recalled the love that the youngest child exuded and received from those in the community.
"I just wanted to talk about Kayden, how he's such a loving child. He always had everyone up and down running after him – the security – always joyful, always happy. He always had these vendors, these doubles people, running and looking after him. He was such a peaceful child and he will be missed."
[caption id="attachment_905757" align="alignnone" width="849"] A cadet with a wreath outside the Church of Rock, Morvant for the funeral service for the three children, Ezekiel, Faith and Kayden Burke who perished in a house fire at Rookery Nook in Maraval." - Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]
Rodriguez said Kayden had deeply loved his big sister, Faith.
"They were always together. They sleep together. They do everything together."
The children's teachers also paid tribute to them.
Joleen Johnson, owner of Great Minds Academy, said Faith loved school and the interactions it brought. She worked hard on her projects and excelled in gymnastics and would beat the boys at football. She was the big sister to her class.
"Faith had a personality that was as bright as the beams of the morning sun. You know the saying, When you smile, the whole world smiles with you? That was Faith. When she smiled you had no choice but to smile too."
Blanchisseuse Secondary School staff recalled Ezekiel as a disciplined cadet and member of the school's cricket team. Principal Hashim Johnson said he was "a beautiful soul" who had grown from a shy boy into a strong young man. He was the pupil
