Fire at Enmore Children’s Home; all 33 children safely evacuated

July 17 2026

A fire at the privately owned Hope Children’s Home, located at Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara was on Friday successfully contained to a single building by the Guyana Fire Service, with all 33 children at the facility safely evacuated.

Three fire appliances and two ambulances were dispatched to the scene as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze and carry out overhaul operations.

According to the Guyana Fire Service, the fire was confined to one building on the compound. Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham later provided an update on the emergency response.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security confirmed that all 33 children residing at the home have been accounted for and are safe.

The Ministry said the children were attending Vacation Bible School (VBS) in the church building on the compound when the fire broke out. The blaze reportedly started in the boys’ dormitory.

The children were immediately evacuated and assembled in a safe area on the nearby dam. The Ministry confirmed that those evacuated included 15 girls and 18 boys.

The Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), along with Ministry officials, has begun relocating the children to state care facilities, where they will continue to receive care, protection and support.

(Travis Chase photo)