Seventeen persons have died in fires since the start of the year.

Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Stewart Beckford, says six of them were children.

In giving the, statistics, year to date, he adds that 44 persons were injured in fires, and over one thousand people were left homeless.

The brigade also responded to 6, 277, genuine fire calls, since January.

Commissioner Beckford says, there has to be a cultural change, in how fire safety is viewed in Jamaica, to prevent further loss of lives.

Commissioner Beckford was speaking at Wednesday morning’s launch, of Fire and Life Safety Awareness Week, to be observed next week, October 23 to 29.

This year’s theme is “Preserving the nation through life safety and fire prevention”

During fire and life safety awareness week, fire prevention activities are ramped up.

This year, focus will be placed on persons with disabilities.