Bucket brigade saves Ruimveldt Children’s Home
A section of the garage that was destroyed
A fire of unknown origin gutted the garage of the Ruimveldt Children’s Home and Care Centre at 227 Freeman Street, East La Penitence, early yesterday morning.
According to Administration Assistant, Jennifer Bobb, a female member of staff heard “crackling sounds” in the garage around 04:00hours, and upon checking she discovered that there was a fire. She immediately alerted the rest of the staff.
Bobb said the children were quickly removed from the building, and area residents together with staff assisted with a “bucket brigade.” She noted that the fire service responded quickly but by that time the fire had been extinguished.
The garage, Bobb informed, contained foodstuff, mattresses and several plastic items.
She added that the children are being temporarily housed in the West Ruimveldt Wesleyan Church.
The Home was completed in 2006 and 20 children are housed within the facility, which caters for orphans and the vulnerable.
According to the fire department, an investigation has been launched.
