By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net 

FOLLOWING a string of house fires in Bain and Grants Town, including one this week that killed a five-year-old boy, MP Wayde Watson says he will purchase 200 smoke detectors to improve fire safety in the community.

Mr Watson made the announcement in the House of Assembly yesterday during the 2025/2026 budget debate. He said six fires have occurred in the constituency in recent times, though he did not provide specifics.

He described such frequency of house fires as alarming and said it pushed him to act.

The latest tragedy unfolded on Monday when a fire broke out in a Rupert Dean Lane home while a mother was away seeking help from a government agency. Her four children, all under the age of six, were left in the care of a relative.

According to initial reports, the caregiver had allegedly fallen asleep and woke to find a bedroom on fire. All four children suffered severe burns.

A five-year-old boy later died from his injuries. The three surviving children remain in critical condition.

The fire has left the neighbourhood shaken. Residents are mourning the loss and questioning whether more support systems are needed for struggling families.

Police were alerted shortly after 12.45pm on Monday when hospital staff reported the children’s injuries.

Mr Watson said he visited the family to offer condolences.

“The pain of losing a loved one is never easy,” he said. “To witness the grief firsthand was rough but I tried to console them best as I can.”