Prime Minister Andrew Holness says he’s ordered a review of safety and security procedures at facilities across the island which are to provide safekeeping and special care to children.
Mr. Holness made the disclosure today shortly after he toured the Walker’s Place of Safety on Lyndhurst Crescent in St. Andrew.
Two children died at the facility last night during a fire which destroyed the place of safety. Thirty-four children have been displaced. Prime Minister Holness, his wife Juliet and State Minister of Education, Floyd Green toured the Walker’s Place of Safety this afternoon.
Mr. Holness says he’s saddened that yet again fire has resulted in children in a designated place of safety losing their lives.
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An investigation is underway to find out the cause of the fire.
Mr. Holness says moves are being made to ensure what transpired at the place of safety last night was indeed an accident.
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Last night, more than 30-minors at the Walker’s Place of Safety were taken to a nearby church while firemen battled the blaze.
They remained there during the course of this afternoon. Mr. Holness went to the church today and sought to assure those displaced.
Minister Green and the Prime Minister say plans have been put in place for more permanent accommodation for the children.
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Meanwhile, Prime Minister Holness says he’ll be contributing to a fund which East Central St. Andrew Member of Parliament and PNP President, Dr. Peter Phillips, says he’ll be setting up to help rebuild the Walker’s Place of Safety.
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