A nation remembers: 20 lives lost in tragic Mahdia fire

One year ago, the nation was shocked and thrown into mourning after 20 children died in the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) fire. As we remember, the fire claimed the lives of Subrina John; Belnisa Evans; Loreen Evans; Bibi Rita Fiona Jeffrey; Lisa Roberts; Tracil Thomas; Delecia Edwards; Lorita Williams; Natalie Bellarmine; Arianna Edwards; Cleoma Simon; Martha Dandrade; Mary Dandrade; Omerfia Edwin; Nickleen Robinson; Sherlyn Bellarmine; Eulander Carter; Andrea Roberts; Sherana Daniels and Adanye Jerome, the son of the dorm mother. Even today as we remember them, the agony these young children endured are still fresh in the minds of their families and the nation.
Police, firefighting officials and the eventual Commission of Inquiry (CoI) concluded that the fire was maliciously set. While a teen implicated has been charged with 20 counts of murder, the matter is still before the court. Also, the families of all the victims received compensation. We are in no way suggesting that this is comfort enough for the families. A good example of how traumatised the families and friends of the survivors are still one year later is the female child at President’s College who in April this year jumped through a window after she was suddenly awakened to a commotion about a fire in the boys’ dormitory. Some of the survivors from that tragedy were relocated to the PC dorms. This newspaper was reliably informed that the girl who jumped is the sister of one of the survivors of the Mahdia fire tragedy. Even a year later, emotions are still high and the families may still be going through the stages of grief including shock, anger, depression, and hopelessness.
Indeed, blame was shifted around even as the Commission of Inquiry into the tragedy was conducted into the matter.
The report of the CoI into the Mahdia fire had outlined several recommendations to improve the condition of dormitories across the country, and to prevent the recurrence of such a tragedy, looking at the combined viewpoints of security, society, and safety.
The report was handed over to President Dr Irfaan Ali by Chairman of the CoI, Major General (Retired) Joe Singh, on January 19, 2024.
From the findings tendered, the Commission recommended that an inspectorate be set up to visit the dormitories which have been, or are being, retrofitted, in order to determine the extent to which they are in compliance with the recommended gender-sensitive standards for dormitories. This should also apply to dormitories that are intended to be constructed.
Further, the report detailed, “The visits should allow for the inspection of fire-suppression systems, emergency evacuation procedures, and assessment of first responder fire-fighting drills and capabilities. Compliance with the statutory schedules for fire drills at schools and dormitories must also be monitored and enforced.”
Additionally, technically-competent individuals should be included in such inspectorate teams, and reports on the extent of compliance achieved are to be submitted to the relevant agencies for evaluation and follow-up action.
Furthermore, grills should be replaced with a modern security system, inclusive of secured fencing and cameras, to ensure a protected environment and assist in monitoring the entry and exit of all persons using the facilities.
The Commission heard, during testimonies, that the grills were installed to prevent the girls from escaping and indulging in the night life of the mining town.
As we have said before, with the use of modernised technology at our disposal, we must utilise this advancement to bring awareness to fire safety. Additionally, we must continue the task of educating through school site visits and community visits. Education and awareness are the first step in turning this deadly trend that has consumed our society.
We hope at some point the families and the nation can reach a stage of acceptance and become able to move beyond sadness at this senseless loss of these 20 young lives.