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Prime Minister Holness Is Outraged by Tragic St. Ann Fire That Claimed the Lives of Three Children


Prime Minister Holness Is Outraged by Tragic St. Ann Fire That Claimed the Lives of Three Children

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, has expressed profound sorrow and outrage following the tragic fire in St. Ann that claimed the lives of three young children. This is another incident of similar nature in recent weeks.

“Once again, for the second time since the start of the year, the nation mourns a terrible tragedy that should never have occurred of children dying in house fires,” said Prime Minister Holness. “It is absolutely heartbreaking to lose three innocent lives in such a preventable manner. Every Jamaican child deserves to grow up in a safe environment, and this incident brings into sharp focus the gaps in vigilance and responsible parenting we face as a nation. While we understand the economic demands on parents, particularly single-parent households, there can be no excuse for leaving children unattended or with little or no supervision, particularly in cases that could not be considered an emergency,” Prime Minister Holness continued.

“As parents, we must do more to ensure our children are cared for and protected at all times. That is not a responsibility any parent can transfer to another lightly,” said Prime Minister Holness.

In light of this recent tragedy, the Government strongly reminds parents and guardians of their moral duty to their children and their legal responsibilities under the Child Care and Protection Act. Furthermore, Prime Minister Holness has directed the relevant authorities to investigate this incident thoroughly and provide every support to the families and the community.

The Prime Minister urges all parents to reflect on the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of the nation’s children.

Late last year, Prime Minister Holness spoke on the matter of house fires caused by open flame lighting resulting in the deaths of children. While this most recent event is not attributed to open flames, the government is committed to addressing energy poverty and ensuring that all Jamaicans have access to safe, regularized, and affordable electricity to meet their basic living needs. The Ministry of Science, Energy, Technology, and Transport is far advanced in developing the Solar Access programme for energy-uncertain households in Jamaica.