National

Family of 8 Gets New Home 3 Years After Fire

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – After losing their home to a fire three years ago, the Seymour family of eight has received the keys to a new government-built home, giving them a fresh start and the chance to reunite under one roof.

Published

2 hours ago

August 29, 2026

Chinasa Outten

NASSAU , BAHAMAS –

Lawrence Seymour – Homeowner

“I feel great. God is good.”

Almost lost for words, Lawrence Seymour finally received the keys to his family’s new home.

Three years ago, Seymour and his family lost the home they had lived in for 25 years, after a fire ripped through their Peunia Close house.

Now, after years of living without a permanent home, the family of eight has a place to call their own again.

Seymour recalls the devastating moment.

Lawrence Seymour – Homeowner

“I was right in the front room watching TV, and all of a sudden, I smelled this smoke. Then I ran inside, and there was a big fire up in the ceiling.”

Seymour says he tried to rebuild on his own, but the work wasn’t moving along as quickly as he had hoped.

Lawrence Seymour – Homeowner

“I started to build, but I wasn’t getting nowhere, so I had to go to the government to get further assistance, and they helped me well.”

And today, that assistance has given the Seymour family a fresh start.

Wife of the Prime Minister, Ann Marie Davis, was part of the handover ceremony.

She says the new home represents more than just four walls.

Ann Marie Davis – Spouse of the Prime Minister

“So let this house be a beacon, let it serve as a beacon and a reminder that the Bahamas is a nation where compassion is not an idea, but a living practice.”

Member of Parliament for the area, Glenys Hanna-Martin, says the fire left the family scattered, making the reunion under one roof even more meaningful.

Glenys Hanna-Martin – Member of Parliament, Englerston

“I thank the minister for his intervention in this situation with this family. I am so happy that this family is going to be reunited, that they will come together under one roof as a family.”

Housing Minister Keith Bell says the new home was built in just nine months.

Keith Bell – Housing Minister

“The structure that you see here, this is not the original home. It was designed by the Ministry of Housing in-house. It was approved by the Ministry of Works. We worked with a small contractor, David Faller, to construct this home.”

Keith Bell – Housing Minister

“This home has been very well constructed. It is built with hurricane impact windows, 40-year warranty shingles. It is tiled throughout. Everything is ready to go for the home. It’s just a matter of moving in.”