The Opposition is demanding answers over the fire that gutted the Hope Children’s Home in Enmore on Friday, saying the incident raises serious questions about fire safety standards and the operational readiness of the Guyana Fire Service despite billions of dollars being allocated to the sector.

In a statement issued on July 17, Shadow Minister of Home Affairs Toshana Famey Corlette, M.P., welcomed the safe evacuation of all 33 children, but warned that the incident must not be dismissed as an isolated event.

“The fire at the Hope Children’s Home in Enmore is a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be placed in danger. Thankfully, all 33 children were safely evacuated. While we are grateful that no lives were lost, this must not be treated as just another incident,” Corlette said.