The Jamaica Fire Brigade has intensified its probe into Sunday afternoon’s fire in Cardiff Hall, St Ann that left a young mother and her daughter dead.

At the scene of the incident on Monday morning, District Officer Oneil Kerr from the St James Fire Department told OBSERVER ONLINE that investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the blaze.

The victims have not yet been publicly identified but the mother is said to be in her twenties and her daughter less than 10 years-old.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Desmond McKenzie, has expressed “great sadness” at the tragedy.

“We do not yet know the cause of this tragedy, and the Jamaica Fire Brigade and the police are continuing their investigations; however, it is an untimely loss of two young lives, and a period of grief for all who knew them. I also want to offer my condolences to the family members and to the community, who are dealing with this unwelcome start to the new week,” McKenzie said.

According to the police, the incident took place sometime after 12:00 pm.

Meanwhile, McKenzie is urging greater prevention action as it relates to house fires in Jamaica, noting that house fires left over 1,700 citizens displaced in 2022.

“I also want to use the opportunity to urge everyone to take greater steps, especially at their houses and places of work, to prevent fires. House fires have resulted in the largest number of deaths and displacement, and we owe it to ourselves, our children and our elderly relatives to ensure that the incidents of fire decline sharply,” the minister said.

“I am appealing to everyone to take very great care, especially in the context of the meteorological drought, this dry period that Jamaica is now experiencing. This has implications for our network of fire hydrants across the country, and I am pleading with everyone to be more aware, and more inclined to practice fire prevention at all times,” he added.