Fire damages sections of J. Wray and Nephew

A massive fire at Liquor Company, J. Wray and Nephew yesterday left sections of the property on Spanish Town Road in rubble.



The fire and billowing smoke could be seen from several metres away and caused long lines of traffic on the busy roadway.



Up to late last night firefighters were feverishly working on the massive blaze which started sometime after 5:00 in the afternoon, at a section of the property used to store empty liquor barrels.



An executive at Wray and Nephew told The Gleaner/ Power 106 News those workers who were inside the facility quickly rushed to safety.



The executive said the blaze began in a small section of the storage facility but was fueled by the residue of alcohol, which caused several liquor barrels to explode.



The smell of smoke was strong and so too were the fumes of alcohol which permeated the air.



Two fire units were initially called to tackle the blaze, but they were unable to manage the unquenchable inferno.



Public Relations Officer for the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Emelio Ebanks said reinforcements had to be called in.



The fire brigade had to seek even further support from the state owned oil refinery, Petrojam and the National Solid Waste Management Authority.



Prime Minister Bruce Golding accompanied by several Government Ministers, as well as members of the Police High Command were on hand to help manage the crowd and support the firefighters.



Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Karl Samuda praised the firefighters for their work noting that the damage could have been far greater.



Mr. Samuda said the damage to the J. Wray and Nephew property is a huge blow for the country, and the cost to the company will be felt by the wider economy.





See pictures from the fire.