At the time of the fire, three female detainees were trapped inside a dormitory and fire fighters had to use a lock cutter to unlock the door.
On Monday, 15-year-old Anastacia Alexandria, one of the three girls who were admitted into the Princess Margaret Hospital with severe burns and smoke inhalation, succumbed to her injuries.
According to Fire Services Director Superintendent Alexander Roberts, fire inspections are conducted annually at detention centres and Her Majesty’s Prison.
Earlier this year, inspections were conducted at the Williemae Pratt Centre.
Although he could not recall whether any infractions were reported at the time, Supt. Roberts on Tuesday said this is the first time a fire was reported at either Williemae Pratt or the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys.
“We have carried out inspections at these premises. We are encouraged to do drills and lectures at these facilities, and we have done it before and we will continue to do that,” said Supt. Roberts.
He said fire safety awareness is stressed during the inspections, in addition to:
* Having a proper evacuation route, sounding an alarm,
* Having an awareness of the environment,
* Knowing where portable extinguishers or fire hoses are located and
* Making sure the staff is aware of fire safety measures.
Asked how well the detainees and staff evacuated the Williemae Pratt Centre at the time of the fire, Supt. Roberts said the procedure was “very effective.”
Responding to critics who felt that the evacuation may not have been effective, because two teens remain hospitalise and another dead, Supt. Roberts said the fact that they all were alive during the rescue makes it effective.
In regards to security, Supt. Roberts said even though exits to cell blocks are usually locked and have barred windows, fire fighters are equipped to remove or cut the bars if it becomes necessary.
He further said the three facilities are “very old buildings,” suggesting that they were designed without fire safety in mind.
With the cause of the fire still undetermined, Supt. Roberts said investigators intend to interview the two girls who remain hospitalised once they have been discharged.
As with Her Majesty’s Prison, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Mark Wilson assured that fire awareness is prominent at the facility.
He said there are two levels of fire safety at the prison, including fire extinguishers mounted throughout the facility and water hoses.
“From the prison perspective, there’s also adequate system for keeping keys, so that if there is a fire or any other emergency, for that matter, then the business of having access to the keys and opening cells can be pre-determined,” Mr. Wilson added.
The Guardian questioned the Department of Social Services Director, Mellany Zonicle, on whether a similar system in practised at the Simpson Penn and Williemae Pratt detention centres, but she refused to comment on the matter.
By Khashan Poitier, The Nassau Guardian
