Massive fire halts operations on Spanish Town Road
Published:Tuesday | June 24, 2025 | 12:13 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
Operations along the industrial corridor of Spanish Town Road in St Andrew came to a standstill yesterday after a massive fire, believed to have been sparked by a gas tanker, quickly spread to nearby premises.
The blaze, which raged for nearly three hours, required the efforts of 37 firefighters to bring under control.
The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) reported that it was summoned around 11:58 a.m.
Upon arrival, responding units were met with a severe situation that demanded additional manpower. The fire had engulfed an agro-farm warehouse at 591 Spanish Town Road, which was storing several farming chemicals.
Leroy Orr, acting assistant commissioner for Area One of the JFB, said units from Trench Town, Half-Way Tree and York Park were dispatched to the scene.
“When we arrived on the scene, we saw the [gas] tanker on fire. We got in operation and were able to contain it until it was extinguished. There was also a warehouse that was on fire at the front of the premises. We also attacked that fire and managed to bring it under control,” Orr said.
The origin of the fire is still under investigation.
Due to the intensity of the blaze, firefighters were supported by additional units from the neighbouring St Catherine division, bringing the total to six units – four fire trucks and two water tankers.
Asked about the presence of chemicals at the site, Orr said: “I won’t go as far as to disclose that as yet; our investigation will give us all the information.”
Checks by The Gleaner revealed that, amond other chemicals, the warehouse stored herbicides such as Lavax 20 SL and Finish 20 SL, as well as the insecticide Profuron 55EC – all of which can become hazardous if mishandled, and may release toxic fumes when exposed to high heat.
While no civilian injuries were reported, one firefighter sustained a minor injury, Orr disclosed.
Residents in surrounding communities reported respiratory discomfort from the thick, chemical-laden smoke, which forced many to flee the area.
Despite the hazardous conditions, Orr said firefighters were equipped to operate safely and welcomed a timely shower of rain during cooling-down efforts.
“It was very important that we got the shower of rain. Apart from foam, we also use water, and therefore, the rain would have helped to contain [the blaze] and in cooling down as well,” he said.
Business owners on the affected property, which houses several companies, said it was too early to estimate the damage.
Residents expressed gratitude that the situation had not been worse.
“I was looking after some lunch in my cookshop and mi just hear a loud boom and the place shake and people start run. We see a ball of fire on the Fesco gas truck and the light wire dem catch fire, and then the warehouse just explode. A di biggest fire me ever see. Thankfully, no lives were lost,” a resident of Riverton told The Gleaner.
A security manager at a nearby premises said his guard on location had to make a run for it after the heat from the tanker fire shattered glass windows at his security post.