CHILDREN taken to hospital after a fire at the Plum Parris Children and Family Centre are expected to be discharged shortly, Human Services and Social Protection Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, said.
The children were among 26 residents evacuated from the centre during a coordinated response Monday evening. All were accounted for, Dr Persaud said, and those taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation were seen and treated.
Some of the children have asthma, one has epilepsy, and others experienced panic attacks, the minister said.
Caregivers from the Child Protection Agency, members of the Child Protection Team, the Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Police Force helped to evacuate the children and brought the situation under control. The fire was contained to one building within a complex, Dr Persaud said.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and will be investigated by police.
Dr Persaud said the children would receive additional counselling and therapy following the incident. Plans for some children to be reunited with their families are also expected to proceed, while the authorities continue to support the others in state care.
She thanked the emergency services and others who assisted, and said the agency would work to restore the affected space.