Two children and a caregiver were rushed to the Enmore Regional Hospital following the fire at the Hope Children Home on Friday morning.
Among those hurt were a staff member who sustained an injury to her hand, and a student who was treated for shock after the incident. Additionally, a second student fell while evacuating and is undergoing medical evaluation for a possible shoulder injury. One who is highly traumatized by the event is being monitored due to potential smoke inhalation. All injured persons have received medical attention and are being closely monitored at Enmore Hospital.
The Minister of Human Services and Social Security Vindhya Persaud in an update expressed deep gratitude that all children were safely accounted for. Persaud said at the time of the fire, a Bible class was underway, and swift action by staff and caregivers ensured the prompt evacuation of every child.
“However, there were two children who were admitted at the Enmore Hosiptal for observation. One child is very traumatized by the whole incident and out of abundant caution and possible risk of smoke inhalation that child is here. A second child, as he was leaving the facility he fell and he may have some injury to his shoulder. There is a staff also from the care center who has been admitted to the hospital for minor injuries.” Persaud said.
Currently, the children are being cared for in state facilities. As part of the response, Persaud said the first trauma-focused counseling session has been initiated today to help the children cope with the emotional impact of the fire.
Prime Minister, Brigadier Mark Phillips also visited the children at the hospital.
Fire Chief Gregory Wickham provided details about the emergency response. Three firefighting appliances and two ambulances responded to the scene. According to reports, all children and staff present at the time were accounted for. However, three individuals suffered minor injuries—an attendant with a hand injury and two students, one of whom was suffering from shock. EMTs treated the injured on-site and arranged for their transportation to the hospital.
Kenneth Finlayson, the Director of the Children’s Home, recounted his experience during the fire. In an interview with the Guyana Standard, he explained that the children had been participating in Vacation Bible School (VBS) in a classroom when he was alerted to the fire. Finlayson quickly moved to the power room to turn off the electricity, then donned a mask and grabbed a fire extinguisher. He attempted to extinguish the flames in the boys’ dormitory from the stairway but was unsuccessful.
Finlayson stated, “The staff and teachers to evacuate the children. I grabbed a mask and fire extinguisher because we have fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. The smoke detectors went off in the boys’ dorm. I reached the stairway and started spraying, but the mattresses were in flames.”
