Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 16, 2012 News
Spate of fires caused by children…
Welfare and Fire officials have expressed concern about the recent spate of fires that were caused by children who were left unsupervised.
But they stopped short on commenting on whether guardians should be prosecuted in cases where minors perished in fires when they were left at home alone.
“In some countries it’s a misdemeanor, we need to look at it (laws here),” a Fire Service official said.
And a Welfare official also called on guardians to take extra care to ensure minors are properly supervised.
“People have to take responsibility…it’s time relatives take responsibility to protect children. No child should be left home alone. We need more community response to children.
The official conceded that poverty and a single parent home, may sometimes cause guardians to leave children protected while going out to work.
“But people have been poor all the time and people used to look after their children. Poverty is one factor, but being a responsible parent is another.”
In recent days, there has been a spate of fires which were caused by children playing with matches.
One ended tragically last Wednesday, when two small children lost their lives after being trapped in a burning house at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara.
The fire was reportedly caused by a burning candle that was placed in a plastic receptacle. The candle was placed on a bookshelf in the children’s bedroom.
Reports indicate that one of the children had put out the candle, but another child lit it again.
The children and three others were at home alone at the time.
Ten-year-old Andrea James and her six-year-old cousin, Alonzo Douglas, perished in the fire which consumed the property located at Lot 689 Middle Dam, La Parfaite Harmonie.
Delon Douglas, eight, Brian Douglas, 10, and six-year-old Andre Douglas escaped by smashing windows and jumping from the burning building. They sustained minor burns, bruises and scratches.
According to initial reports, the fire started in the upper flat of the three-bedroom structure.
Kaieteur News understands that two of the children were in a bedroom when the fire started while another was in the bathroom. One of the children said the flames spread quickly, leaving them with no time to open the doors to the side stairs leading to the yard.
Delon Douglas, one of the lads, recalled breaking a window and telling the others to jump. However, only the three boys managed to jump to safety.
Andrea James panicked after the flames kept her away from the broken window and she retreated to the rooms.
“She was on the verandah and at the time only a lady was in the yard when the fire started and the lady keep telling she jump and she just run back inside the house and she never come back out,” a neighbour said. Six-year-old Alonzo Douglas, who was set to celebrate his birthday next month, was also trapped in the blaze.
Others fires at Agricola, East Bank Demerara and in William Street, Kitty, were also caused by children playing with matches.
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