KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) has taken a four-year-old child into its care following a tragic fire at a residence off Mountain View Avenue in the Corporate Area on the weekend which claimed the life of a one-year-old.

It’s reported that the two children were left unattended at the time of the fire, which also destroyed the home and belongings of the affected families living at the residence.

Chief Executive Officer of the CPFSA, Laurette Adams-Thomas, says the four-year-old survivor has been significantly affected by the traumatic experience.

“Our first priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. He is receiving care and will continue to be supported through counselling and therapeutic services to help him to process this tragedy,” she said.

“Children are naturally curious, but that curiosity can turn deadly if proper supervision is not in place,” Adams-Thomas warned, adding that tragedy is a reminder of the responsibilities borne by caregivers to create a safe and protected environment for children.

She urged parents who are struggling to secure adequate supervision for their children to seek help.

Adams-Thomas said the agency is coordinating with other government agencies to assist the family in replacing essential documents and items lost in the fire, such as birth certificates, school supplies, and clothing.

CPFSA has also referred the family to the Ministry of Justice’s Victim Services Division for trauma counselling, and will be providing other psychosocial interventions through its Child and Family Support Unit.