Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has expressed sorrow and outrage following the deaths of three children in a house fire in St Ann yesterday, a terrible tragedy that, he says, should not have occurred.

The three children — seven-year-old Tashawna Mattis, four-year-old Tashawnie Mattis, and two-year-old Tavano Mattis — died less than a week after another child, five-year-old Kimberly Harrison died in a fire at her home on Whitehall Avenue, St Andrew.

“Once again, for the second time since the start of the year, the nation mourns a terrible tragedy that should never have occurred of children dying in house fires,” Holness is quoted in a release from by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). “It is absolutely heartbreaking to lose three innocent lives in such a preventable manner.

“Every Jamaican child deserves to grow up in a safe environment, and this incident brings into sharp focus the gaps in vigilance and responsible parenting we face as a nation,” he added.

While acknowledging the economic demands on parents, particularly single-parent households, the prime minister said there can be no excuse for leaving children unattended or with little or no supervision, particularly in cases that could not be considered an emergency.

“As parents, we must do more to ensure our children are cared for and protected at all times. That is not a responsibility any parent can transfer to another lightly,” Holness said.

He said that in light of Sunday’s tragedy, the Government is strongly reminding parents and guardians of their moral duty to their children and their legal responsibilities under the Child Care and Protection Act.

Holness has also directed the relevant authorities to investigate the fire in Walkerswood, St Ann, thoroughly and provide every support to the families and the community.

The OPM release noted that late last year Holness spoke on the matter of house fires caused by open flames resulting in the deaths of children.

The office said that the Government is committed to addressing energy poverty and ensuring that all Jamaicans have access to safe, regularised, and affordable electricity to meet their basic living needs.

The OPM also said the Ministry of Science, Energy, Technology, and Transport is far advanced in developing the solar access programme for energy-uncertain households in Jamaica.