ARTICLE - FIRE - CAMP ARGENTINE

VIOLENT FIRE AT "CAMP ARGENTINE"
(Haiti Libre) -

A fire broke out this morning around 8:00am at Camp Argentine in Sans Fil, not far from Carrefour Péan. The fire of unknown cause rapidly extended to "Block 4", where more than 350 families live, destroying dozens of tents and wooden houses. The damage is considerable. "No estimate is possible at this time" stated Max Rony Fervil, an agent of civil protection for Delmas, present at the scene.

Immediately informed of the incident, the Minustah sent troops and a medical team, two ambulances and two water tanks to assist the National Police of Haiti, and the United Nations police, already on site, in their efforts, aiming to assist the injured and extinguish the fire. Firefighters arrived on scene around 10:00, and finally controlled the fire. Firefighters and rescuers continue to search through the rubble in the hope of finding survivors. We regret the death of a 3-year-old girl [interim assessment, which could rise]. The father of the young victim has informed the Civil Protection that his 5 other children remain missing.

The Presidency of the Republic of Haiti has learned with dismay of that drama, lamenting the death of a girl and the disappearance of several others. The office of the Presidency extends its deepest sympathy to the victims of the disaster, and announced its support for the bereaved families. The Presidency intends to take all measures necessary to give support to relatives of victims and bereaved families [estimated at 400] whose tents and shelters were destroyed.

The Minister of the Interior, Mr Thierry Mayard Paul, said he is deeply dismayed by this event that is sowing grief and desolation among the Haitian population, and presents his sympathies to the victims. The Minister assured that an investigation will be requested as soon as possible to shed light on the causes of this fire.

Mariano Fernández Amunátegui, the Head of the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (Minustah), presented his heartfelt condolences to the family of the young victim, and sincerely hope that other children are quickly found and returned to their families.