Local Government Minister Desmond Mckenzie has made an urgent appeal for citizens to practice fire safety and prevention.

In a statement, the minister said the country has lost four children to house fires in the first twelve days of 2025 – the same number of children who died due to fires over the entire year of 2024.

He noted further that last year, 27 people died, 79 were injured and 1,600 lost their homes due to fires.

The minister said while the Jamaica Fire Brigade is ramping up its public education activities through the fire and life safety programme, collective action is needed to prevent further loss of life and property.

He stressed that most fires are preventable and citizens have the power, through their daily actions to prevent them.the relevant authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly and provide support to the families and community.