Fifteen people were killed in house fires as at November 30, this year.

Of that number, four of them were children.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade Stewart Beckford says though the statistic is daunting, it represents a 42% reduction when compared to last year’s data for the similar period.

There were 26 fire-related deaths in 2023.

Commissioner Beckford said the children who died this year in house fires were left unattended or had access to fire-causing instruments among other reasons.

He said families should ensure candles are not being used near curtains or other materials.

Noting that too many senior citizens died in house fires this year, the fire chief urged caregivers to be more responsible in ensuring their safety.