Jamaican Police.Com

On Sunday (May 24), a fire at the dormitory of the all-female Armadale Juvenile Correctional Centre in St. Ann killed five girls and injured 11 others. The facility was ordered closed by the Prime Minister, and an inquiry into the incident launched. However, survivors are reportedly blaming the police for the tragedy, stating that the fire was started by a police tear gas canister which had been fired through the window into the dormitory to quell the girls who had been pelting the police with missiles. The police had been called there by the officer in charge of the centre to help prevent a breakout that the girls were attempting.

Subject to the findings of the inquiry, the police are reportedly contending that the fire was not in fact caused by the teargas, but was deliberately started by one of the girls who perished in the blaze. Hopefully more will be revealed by the official inquiry into the incident.

Tags : Armadale Juvenile Correctional Centre, Correctional Centre Fire, Girls Perish In Fire