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PICTURE THIS: Eventide Home disaster

May 20th, 2020 | Category: PICTURE THIS | 1:37
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MAY 20, 2020: On May 20, 1980, 153 women, many destitute, and with physical disabilities, were burnt to death in a massive fire which destroyed The Eventide Home, located on Slipe Pen Road in St Andrew where they resided. The early-morning fire spread rapidly through the mainly wooden buildings. On May 26, 1980, coffins with the charred remains of 145 victims were interred in a mass grave at National Heroes Park. Described as one of the greatest tragedies of independent Jamaica. It happened five months before the bloodiest general election in the country’s history.

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