Children to receive continued support after Sophia fire

September 29 2026

Following a devastating fire at the Children and Family Home in Plum Park, Sophia, all of the children residing at the facility have been accounted for and are safe.

The fire broke out last evening on the top floor of the female dormitory, prompting a swift response from the Guyana Fire Service.

Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control and fully extinguish the flames, preventing the fire from spreading further through the building.

Nine children suffered smoke inhalation and were treated by Emergency Medical Technicians before being transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical attention.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, said the children taken to hospital are expected to be discharged, as none is in a critical condition.

In the aftermath of the fire, the children have been relocated to other state-run homes to ensure their continued care and safety.

Some children are also expected to return to their families, depending on their individual circumstances.

Firefighters remained at the scene conducting mop-up operations, including checks for hidden pockets of fire and possible sources of reignition.

The Ministry is also set to roll out additional emergency response training for staff across state-run children’s homes.

Investigations have commenced to determine the origin and cause of the fire.