Two children, a 1-year-old boy and a girl, aged 3, died in a house fire in Langley Park, Georgetown around noon on Wednesday.
Police issued a statement on Wednesday confirming the death of the infants but did not release information about their identities.
iWitness News has learnt that the children are Deron Junior Peters, 1 and Dareson Peters, 3.
Their parents are Deron Peters, 32 and Shemille Peters.
iWitness News confirmed with multiple sources at the scene that three adults were at the home at the time of the fire.
A fire tender responded but took some time to extinguish the blaze, which one of the occupants said destroyed the contents of the three-bedroom house, where at least six adults and nine children lived.
The occupant, an adult who was not at home at the time of the blaze and who asked not to be identified, told iWitness News that one of the adults who were at home at the time of the blaze is asthmatic and another is “crippled”.
Sources said there might have been some confusion about the number of children in the house at the time of the blaze.
iWitness News understands that people who responded had asked if all of the children were evacuated and were told that that was the case.
However, people outside are said to have heard the sound of children screaming inside as the fire intensified to the point that no one else could enter the building safely.
iWitness News was reliably informed that the children’s bodies were found under a burnt-out bed in the bedroom closest to the entrance to the house.
The adult male — the children’s great-grandfather — who was home at the time, was being treated in hospital after the fire, reportedly for a condition aggravated by the fire.
The adult occupant of the house who spoke to iWitness News confirmed that electrical work had been done on the house less than a year ago.
The occupant defended their family against suggestions by people on social media that the children were home alone. (Full story to follow)
The children’s parents waited outside the cordon for hours as police processed the scene.
Their mother, who is said to be pregnant and asthmatic and living elsewhere in St. Vincent, was consoled by different people as she asked the police to allow her to see the bodies of her children.
The children’s father, who lived at the house, was seen walking about outside the cordon.
Among the people who responded to the scene as part of the investigation were personnel from the Electrical Inspectorate.
In their statement published on Facebook, police said fire personnel along with police officers, “responded swiftly to the scene to combat the blaze and secure the area,” adding that no other casualties had been reported at the time of their statement.
“A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted to determine the exact cause of death,” the statement said.
“The RSVGPF extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy. Investigations are ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” it further stated.
Police are encouraging anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist with the investigation.
They can do so by telephoning 999/911, (784) 457-1211, (784) 458-6229 or (784) 456-1810.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include the names of the deceased children and their parents.
The news personal who wrote what happened, has some information mixed up
It says that “The children’s body was found under the bed in a Closet in the bedroom”. Please write with common sense, so that when readers read, the whole information can sound sensible. A few mistakes throws off everything. But, am sorry for those lives lost.
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Sue, nowhere in the story does it say “The children’s body was found under the bed in a Closet in the bedroom”.
What the story actually says is:
“… the children’s bodies were found under a burnt-out bed in the bedroom closest to the entrance to the house.”
This is absolutely heartbreaking. And why is the mother living “elsewhere in St. Vincent”, and not with her children? The police needs to lay charges. What are they doing? Waaw.
Negligence is what I’m hearing in the information given…. I know I’m not the only one puzzled!!!
You people like to listen to Dem say too much. And like to judge people. If the mother don’t live with her children do you all know the reason, so what ,she is not the first or the last. Mind wunna own business and see what happening in wunna own corrupt life that is not to pretty.
Life happens it’s unfortunate let the family mourn in peace and give unna mouth a wash and rest.
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