BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - MANY were astounded when news of a child setting fire to a chair on a school’s compound broke, and this has led to multiple questions being asked about the incident and the surrounding circumstances.
It was reported that on Monday (June 23) somewhere between two of the buildings of the Beach Allen Primary School, a male child had set fire to a chair.
According to the Acting Fire Chief of the St. Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Services Department, Everette O’Garro, information gathered by the Department suggested that the fire was set with the use of gasoline, matches and toilet paper.
The inappropriate use of fire - especially in the wrong hands - has potentially devastating effects. And while this incident resulted in no casualties, it has raised a number of red flags and concerns.
SKNVibes contacted Principal of the school Emileta Warner-Paul to seek answers regarding the incident.
And before this publication could have completed its explanation of the reason for contacting her, a defensive Warner-Paul interjected and indicated that she is “sorry, but I am wary of SKNVibes only seeking to publicise negative things...SKNVibes only seeks to call me about something ill or when somebody wants to perpetrate”.
She also stated that “it is not everything that happens in your house you have to let everybody know”, adding that she did not see why information about the incident had to be published.
Although the discourse between SKNVibes and Warner-Paul was lengthy, this publication was none-the-wiser to the concerns brought to its attention, as the opportunity did not present itself for them to be asked and also because Warner-Paul said she would not address the matter.
The questions/concerns brought to SKNVibes attention include:
1. Were the parents of the child contacted about the incident?
2. How did the child get the matches? Did he bring them from home?
3. From where did he get the gasoline?
4. Is this the first incident of this nature that has taken place at that school?
5. Is this the first incident of this nature involving that child?
6. What measures are going to be put in place to reduce the likelihood of a repetition?
7. Whoever set the chair on fire could have done the same to the building or even another child...
8. Have there ever been sessions at the school to educate both students and teachers about fire safety?
