9 children treated for smoke inhalation after Children’s Home fire

Nine children were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for treatment after a fire broke out at the Children and Family Home at Plum Park, Sophia, Greater Georgetown on Monday.

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry confirmed that all children housed at the facility were accounted for and evacuated following the fire. According to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), firefighters observed the blaze on the top floor of the female dormitory. They brought the fire under control and extinguished it before it could spread further.

The Fire Service said its crews were conducting mop-up operations to check for hidden pockets of fire and ensure there was no risk of reignition. Nine children suffered smoke inhalation and were treated by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) before being transported to GPHC for further medical attention. The remaining children were relocated to a safe location. The Ministry said it is continuing to monitor the situation, while investigations have commenced to determine the origin and cause of the fire. The Ministry urged members of the public to respect the privacy of the children and refrain from sharing unverified information or images that could identify them. It also thanked the GFS and others involved in the evacuation and care of the children.