Fire chief to probe alleged failures in attempt to put out house fire in Kencot

 

Head of the Jamaica Fire Brigade Stewart Beckford has given a commitment to probe allegations that firefighters were poorly prepared to combat a fire along South Road in Kencot, St Andrew on Monday.

 

The fire destroyed a five-bedroom dwelling. No one was injured. 

 

Residents complained that the units took a long time to respond to their calls, did not have enough water and that firefighters were disorganised in their attempt to put out the blaze.

 

Mr Beckford, in response, underscored the need for working hydrants in communities, stressing that, once the trucks start releasing water into a fire, "the water will be pumped out in a short while, and that is why it's important that there are working hydrants around (the location of) fires..."

 

There was no word on the cause of the blaze, which resulted in an estimated loss of $25 million, including two vehicles.