But one item which survived the blaze was her Bible and she believes that is proof that her Christian faith carried her through.

Brown had returned from church less than an hour before masked men entered the premises and set fire to the seven houses there.

"I was just going to sleep when I see a bright light. I get up and look through the window and saw someone in a bright shirt. I went back in and wake up mi daughters and tell them, 'Come, we are in danger'."

"I was trying to call the police when a masked man kick off the door and ask me what me doing on the phone. Him take away the phone and shut back the door," Brown said.

Minutes later, she heard liquid being poured on the door which quickly burst into flames.

Through burning doorway

Brown was not willing to die that way, so she dumped a pan of water on the fire before pulling her children through the still burning doorway.

"When me come out, me start bawl out, 'The blood of Jesus, the blood of Jesus,' and mi say, 'Jesus, mi out here in You name and mi want You to protect me'," Brown said.

"An' mi jus' run and run until me reach the (Grants Pen Police) station. Is this morning somebody see mi a come from the station and give mi a pair of shoes because me run out barefooted," Brown said.

When she returned to Oddman Lane, she found her house gutted by fire, with clothes and furniture burnt crisp. But there was still reason to give thanks.

"Mi Bible was there, the cover burn off but mi can still read the words. The Bible is my sword and the handle burn off and leave the blade. Them can't stop me," declared Brown, as she continued to praise her God for saving her life.

*Name changed on request.

arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com