The Tribune

ALIV, as part of its duty to the community, stepped up to the plate to donate funds as well as necessary items which included clothes to 96-year-old Pinedale, Eight Mile Rock resident Doris Smith.

Ms Smith is one of Grand Bahama's oldest inhabitants who nearly lost everything in a recent fire at her home of 80 years.

"Here at ALIV, we always strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around us especially those who deserve it like Ms Smith. It's heartbreaking that she has to rebuild her life," ALIV Northern Bahamas General Manager Bahamas Richard Stanton said.

"ALIV is eager to help and we're looking forward to assisting in any way that we can."

ALIV donated water, clothing, toiletries among other items including money to Ms Smith.

"It's an unfortunate situation to lose everything and nobody should have to face it alone, so we want to ensure that she knows that ALIV cares and we will try to assist where possible as she tries to rebuild her life."

"You all are the only ones who have come to help so far," Ms Smith said. "God bless ALIV thank you so much for everything."

The Tribune reported that Ms Smith was awakened by the sounds of "crackling and smoke" more than a week ago and her quick action helped to save not only herself but her caretaker from a fire at her residence.

The fire started in Ms Smith's bedroom.

"I heard crackling and smelled smoke," recalled Ms Smith. "I looked in the kitchen, but there was no light on in there."

Ms Smith thought it might have been the fan, then she looked at the television.

"I picked up the remote and try to cut off the television, but the remote was not working," she said.

That's when Ms Smith called out to the caretaker and alerted her to a fire in her bedroom.

"I said… 'Get up, the house on fire,'" she said.

Ms Smith was assisted out of the house by her caretaker and is now staying with her grandniece in Eight Mile Rock.

"The bedroom is completely destroyed; everything is burned," Ms Smith said. "I had a brand-new bedroom set; the mattress, rug, and all my clothes - everything is gone."

Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire.