The preliminary report for the Commission of Inquiry into the fatal fire at the Hadfield Street Drop-in Centre pointed to some systemic problems and bad fire prevention arrangements, according to State Minister Joseph Harmon.
“The preliminary report pointed to some issues of bad policy arrangements for fire. It pointed to the fact that there was not enough collaboration with entities. It had to do with the management of the Drop-in Centre,” Harmon said, when questioned at a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday about the findings of the preliminary report, which was submitted to him last week.
He said that it also found that there were not enough drills for emergencies and fires.
However, Harmon added that the deficiencies were not only common to the Drop-in Centre but to all government facilities and he stressed the need to observe fire codes and building standards.
He pointed out that in some buildings, there are no fire points.
“In school, when you have assembly you are told in the event of an emergency you are to march and assemble at certain points,” he noted, while adding that such standards have been ignored and need to be brought back.
“When we talk about rebuilding the standards and country, these are some of the things we have to look at to ensure we have a safe country, buildings and communities,” Harmon added.
The early morning July 8 fire claimed the lives of two boys, Antonio, 6, and Joshua, 3, who were among three other siblings that were taken from their parents just over a day before. The 29 other children who were at the facility escaped.
There was another fire in 2010 that had also decimated the top floor of the building. Head of the Child Care and Protection Agency Ann Greene said that the rebuilt centre was equipped with fire prevention tools and that the staff was also trained.
The Ministry of Social Protection subsequently took full responsibility for the deaths.
Because of the extent of the fire and the loss of life, President David Granger had ordered the inquiry and retired Colonel Windee Algernon was appointed to investigate.
A source had told Stabroek News that a decision on the fate of the building would depend on the completion of the inquiry. However, the source said that since a “senior official” was unhappy with the children going back to the building, a preliminary decision was made to procure another building or land where a new building can be constructed.
