By Kimone Witter
Cooling down operations are continuing along Hagley Park Road in St. Andrew at the site of Thursday’s massive blaze that destroyed Superior Auto Parts.
The fire reportedly started sometime after 11 a.m. in the repairs section of the headquarters of the auto parts dealer and service centre that specialised in new and used Honda vehicle components, motorcycles and related automotive services.
Stewart Beckford, Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, says it is expected that firefighters will be at the location for much of Friday trying to extinguish the remaining burning debris.
“Given what was stored in that facility, it is proving a challenge in terms of being able to finally extinguish that fire. So we are going to be there for a little while longer,” he told Radio Jamaica News.
Commissioner Beckford said firefighters battled the blaze for more than six hours on Thursday before they were able to contain and bring it under control.
“We are not yet sure of what may be the cause. That is under investigation. But we are in discussion with the management of the facility to ascertain any information that they may have that can assist us in determining the cause of that fire. We are also speaking with them in relation to the losses that they may have suffered. But what we know is that the facility was totally gutted.”
The fire has affected the employment of at least 105 people at Superior Auto Parts.
It subsequently spread to neighbouring auto parts supplier and service centre Ketro Trading Company, where a warehouse was destroyed.
That company’s managing director, Keith Trowers, told The Gleaner that he was able to remove some items from the building before it was engulfed by the fire.
He has suffered millions of dollars in losses, with seven employees now jobless.
Several houses in the vicinity of the auto dealership were also affected by the fire.
At the same time, two of the three firefighters who were injured during efforts to extinguish Thursday’s massive blaze at Superior Auto Parts have been released from hospital.
A female firefighter remains hospitalised for further observation.
Commissioner Beckford said it is suspected that she is suffering from smoke inhalation.
He said another firefighter was knocked unconscious by falling debris.
“He was released this morning and placed on five days’ sick leave, and is to return to the facility for further checks. One member had both legs broken,” he added. “So those injuries are of concern, but we are hoping that they make a full recovery. We are just happy that no lives were lost, as much as we are regretting the loss to the owners of the facility and the persons who are out of jobs this morning.”
Mr. Beckford said it is believed that the firefighter whose legs were broken, fell from a ladder.