Fire destroys Walker's Place of Safety, two children missing

Thirty-four of the 36 children housed at the Walker's Place of Safety on Lyndhurst Crescent in Kingston, have been moved to a temporary holding facility at a nearby church after fire destroyed the premises early this morning.

The Education Ministry says two of the children at the privately-owned facility are yet to be accounted for.

In the meantime, counselling is being offered to the children and staff through the Child Protection and Family Services Agency.

State Minister for Education Floyd Green said the agency will be communicating with the parents of the unaccounted for children.

"This is a truly devastating and traumatic experience for all involved," he said.

Green also said the cause of the fire remains undetermined and an investigation will be conducted with the help of the fire department to find out what happened.

The Walker’s Place of Safety serves as a transitional residence for children, generally up to 12 years old, who have been abandoned or removed from their homes because of unstable conditions.

It provided food and shelter, along with access to educational services and health care.

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