House Fire Claims 5-Year-Old’s Life, Leaves Three Other Toddlers Burned

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A toddler is dead, and three other children are badly burned after a fire ripped through a bedroom on Rupert Dean Lane Monday afternoon.

The scene has left many in the Bain town community stunned and grieving.

Police brought the matter to light Tuesday morning in a press release, and according to their reports, the mother left the children in the care of a relative while she sought help from a government agency.

That relative allegedly fell asleep and woke to find the children burned and the room in flames.

One of the children, a five-year-old boy, later died in hospital.

News of the incident spread quickly through the close-knit community, and many residents say they’re still in shock.

Long-time Bain Town resident, Adrian Miller, who grew up in the area, returned to the neighborhood as soon as she heard the tragic news.

“They’re not managing it…they need a little time…they’re not in a good, clear thought process right now…so somebody’s there talking to them and they’re trying to do the best they could.”

“Somebody’s at the hospital, somebody’s home, so they’re just trying to do the best they could,” Miller said.

Miller says the mother did her best to provide for her children, and that in a place like Bain Town, neighbors step up to look after each other’s families.

” …That’s what she does, and that’s what they do…even the grandmother, you know [sic], we look out for each other…even aunts, uncles, cousins. We look out for the kids in this area,” Miller said.

In a press conference today at the Royal Bahamas Police Headquarters, police say that their investigation is ongoing, and that the priority now finding out exactly what happened, and whether negligence played a role.

Chief Superintendent Sheria King – Press Liaison, RBPF

“The three Children that are presently in hospital are in stable but critical condition, and we are monitoring those as well.

“Fire investigations have conducted their investigation into this matter and all witnesses, all persons responsible…will be interviewed…to determine how did this tragic incident happen,” King said.