A couple from Valencia, who lost everything when their house was set on fire, are pleading with the public to assist them rebuild their lives.

In an interview with the Express last week, Athanues Gentle, 63, and Debbie Mitchell, 43, said four days after Christmas two men attempted to break into their small two-bedroom wooden home at Tattoo Trace around midnight, but failed and initially threw kerosene on the house and struck a match.

’They wanted to come inside, but I did not open the door at all...and when I asked who they was, one of them even said they were police, but when I ask him to show me ID, he pelt a big stone through the window and hit me,’ Gentle said.

Officers attached to the Valencia Police Station, who visited Gentle and his family the next day, said they were investigating the incident.

Gentle, who receives a monthly NIS pension, suffered a minor head injury during the commotion, was looking after his two children, who suffer from Down’s Syndrome, when the fire broke out.

His wife, who is employed as a security guard with Innovative Security Technologies Limited, was at work at the time but praises God that her children did not die.

’The children was just screaming when the place started to burn. They did not know what was happening, they have Down’s Syndrome, so they kind of slow, so I had to run inside and pull them out,’ gentle he added.

The two children, Candy, 17, and Peter, 24, suffered minor second degree burns about their hands, legs and back.

’After that fire, we only have to thank God that they all alive because it could have happened to anybody,’ declared Mitchell.

Residents of the area say the couple do not have access to any basic utilities and are soliciting the help of those who are more fortunate to lend assistance.

’We don’t have electricity here and we does use the spring in the back of the house to get water to cook and drink...but I had just bought a new stove last year and that burn up,’ Mitchell added.

Left with nothing but the clothes on their backs, the family are in need of grocery items, clothing, shoes, kitchen utensils, bedding and materials to rebuild their home. Anyone willing to assist can reach them at 381-9986 or through the Local Government Councillor for the area David Gandar.

’It’s a real tragedy, what has happened to that family...and already I have collected some stuff that I intend to deliver to them,’ he said.