Fire at emergency shelter in Stuðlar leads to tragic death of 17-year-old boy

A fire at the emergency shelter in Stuðlar rendered the facility inoperable, resulting in the tragic death of a 17-year-old boy. A staff member who suffered smoke inhalation has been discharged from the hospital. Ólöf Ásta Farestveit, the director of the Children and Family Department, stated that the fire’s occurrence is unrelated to recent discussions highlighting the challenging conditions at Stuðlar. The fire began in the emergency shelter unit.

In response to the situation, Farestveit emphasized the urgency of finding temporary solutions given that the emergency shelter is no longer functional. She noted, “It is quite clear that the emergency shelter is not operational, and we need to find interim solutions for this.”

The situation is further complicated by the closure of a long-term treatment facility, Lækjarbakka, due to mold issues. Efforts are underway to secure new housing options quickly. Farestveit mentioned, “We are actively working to finalize the treatment department and implement changes within the treatment system. We expect to complete this process within the week, allowing us to resume emergency placements.”

While the facility’s re-opening will not accommodate the same number of spaces as before, the department is making every effort to ensure that children can return to emergency services as soon as possible. “We are trying to navigate these challenges and set things in motion,” she added.