CPFSA and the MOESYI Issue Statement About Three Children Killed in Fire in St. Ann

 Press Release from the MOESYI and the CPFSA - 20240112:

Minister Dana Morris Dixon

Laurette Adams-Thomas JP

CPFSA and MOESYI Urge Greater Vigilance for Children’s Safety and Fire Preparedness Following Recent House Fire Tragedies 

The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) and the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MOESYI) are appealing to parents and guardians to prioritise vigilance in safeguarding children and to adopt fire safety measures at home. This call follows a series of devastating house fires that have claimed the lives of children in recent days. 

The most recent incident occurred at 2:24 a.m. today in Walkerswood, St. Ann, where three children—a boy and two girls—tragically lost their lives in a fire that consumed their home. 

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, expressed profound sorrow at the tragic incident: 

“The heartbreaking loss of these young lives is deeply distressing and serves as a painful reminder of the vulnerabilities children face in cases of emergency. CPFSA first responders are already en route to the scene of the incident to assess the situation. They will provide on-spot grief counselling for the surviving family members, identify any other children who may now require care, and offer support such as food, clothing, and assistance in replacing essential documents. Our focus now is to ensure that these families have access to the resources they need to begin rebuilding their lives after this devastating loss.” 

“A team from the Ministry will visit the children’s schools tomorrow, Monday, to offer counselling and emotional support to classmates, teachers, and other members of the school community as they grapple with this tragedy.” Dr. Morris Dixon added. 

In another incident on Wednesday, January 8, a five-year-old girl perished in a house fire in Whitehall, Kingston, while under the care of an elderly relative. 

CPFSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Laurette Adams-Thomas says that the Agency made a swift response to that incident: 

“Our team quickly provided support to the grieving family, referring the child’s mother and surviving sibling to the Ministry of Justice’s Victim Services Division (VSD) for trauma counselling. We also referred the family to Food for the Poor to supply them with emergency provisions such as food and care items. These tragedies are unimaginable losses that no family should have to endure.” 

The CEO further issued an urgent appeal to parents and guardians, while emphasizing the importance of fire safety practices in the home: 

“We implore you to be extra vigilant in the care of your children. Never leave them unsupervised or in situations where their safety may be at risk, especially at home. Always ensure that your children are in the care of responsible adults who can protect them and act quickly in emergencies.” “It is crucial that parents create and implement a home fire safety plan, and then rehearse it with their children. Everyone in the home, especially children, should understand what to do in case of a fire. Teach them to recognise the smell of smoke, to call for help, and to head for the nearest exit. Fires often spread rapidly and can overwhelm even adults. By preparing ahead, we can help reduce the likelihood of these devastating events in future.” 

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