The Opposition has raised concerns about the delayed response time of emergency personnel in crisis situations due to deplorable road conditions.

Caretaker for North Central St. Andrew, Christopher Henry, highlighted the issue following a house fire on Whitehall Avenue in St. Andrew that claimed the life of a young girl.

Mr. Henry emphasized the need for greater investment in infrastructure and emergency response capabilities to better handle emergencies like these.

Five-year-old Kimberly Harrison was at home with relatives when the fire broke out.

While residents managed to rescue her relatives, Kimberly was trapped inside the house and later perished.

Mr. Henry also highlighted how poor road conditions on Whitehall Avenue contributed to delays in the emergency response.

He emphasized that the safety of residents must be a priority, calling for increased investment in infrastructure, improvements in emergency services, and better road conditions across Kingston and St. Andrew.

While extending condolences to Kimberly’s mother, Shelly-Ann Bruce, her relatives, and the wider community, Henry pledged to advocate tirelessly for the necessary changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.