Fire Tore Through Unoccupied Home | Community Suspects Arson

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Fire Tore Through Unoccupied Home | Community Suspects Arson

A fire tore through an unoccupied house along Bendals Main Road on Friday morning, making it difficult to identify the long standing structure and prompting rapid response by fire officials.

The property, owned by Vi Peterson, where she once lived and raised her children, has remained in her family for generations. Although the house had deteriorated over the years after she moved away, it was still being used by one of her sons for storage.

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Ms. Peterson, said to now be in her 70s, is best remembered for running the Christos Supermarket on High Street. 

The blaze, which started in the mid morning, quickly consumed the aging wooden structure. Firefighters responded to the scene, but by the time the flames were brought under control, the building had already been burned.

While the cause of the fire has yet to be officially determined, some residents are voicing suspicions of arson.

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/06/14/fire-tore-through-unoccupied-home-community-suspects-arson. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Cory Wayland

About the author

Cory Wayland is the Social Media Co-ordinator at Antigua.News, where he manages digital content strategy, audience engagement, and real-time news publications across social platforms. With a keen eye for trending topics and a commitment to factual storytelling, Cory plays a key role in shaping the online voice of Antigua.News.

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Comments (6)

  • Gweneth June 14, 2025, 11:44 AM

    Sometimes these homes have memories and sentimental values..I’m.sorry she lost her home..
    Reply
  • Antigua Surf June 14, 2025, 5:25 PM

    Heart of men are so wicked you don’t know what to believe!! I hope the family is at least given something for this! I can’t begin to imagine your family home, whether unoccupied or occupied being destroyed like this! And I know that once it’s unoccupied there’s no sort of electricity and coincidence wouldn’t allow it to be such a bad flame
    Reply
  • Devorn Carter June 14, 2025, 5:26 PM

    My heart goes out to the Peterson family. Even if no one lived there, it still meant something. These old family homes are part of our heritage. We need to find better ways to preserve them before it’s too late.
    Reply
  • Ben Simmons June 14, 2025, 7:41 PM

    So someone burnt down the house? She will build it better. Or her children will.
    Reply
  • Informed citizen June 15, 2025, 10:16 AM

    An unoccupied home is still someone’s investment and future. This is heartbreaking to see. Hope the authorities get to the bottom of it quickly.
    Reply
  • Juju Bee June 15, 2025, 1:15 PM

    Sorry for the loss
    Reply

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