The ruins of the house that was destroyed by fire at Bryden Street, Kingston. - Errol Crosby

Residents of Bryden Street, off Windward Road, East Kingston, are angry after fire personnel were reportedly hampered from getting into the community following an early morning fire which destroyed four houses and injured a child.

The fire started at approximately 1 a.m. and during the blaze, a five-year-old girl had to be rushed to the hospital, after she sustained burns to her arm and forehead. Another five-year-old had to be rescued from the inferno.

Yesterday, the residents threatened to protest over the mounting of a blockade by the police, which they say contributed to the houses being destroyed and the injury of the child.

They say the blockades were erected following drive-by shootings with another community and that since then there has been peace.

They are now demanding that the relevant authorities remove the blockades.

The fire brigade reportedly had to use the alternate route of Wilde Street to enter the community.

Four units from the York Park, Rollington Town and Trench Town fire stations responded to the blaze.

Damage is estimated at $6 million.

Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent of Police in charge of Operations at the Kingston Eastern Division, Hornet Williams, stated that the blockades that were put in place worked to prevent the drive-by shootings.

He also said that now that the shootings have stopped, plans can now be put in place to see how best these can be removed and the situation addressed.