Gas tanker explosion causes massive fire on Spanish Town Road

 

Firefighters are conducting cooling down operations at the scene of a massive fire which broke out along Spanish Town Road on Monday afternoon. 

 

The Agri World Farm Store warehouse was destroyed when a gas tanker exploded, triggering a fire at the warehouse along the industrial stretch. 

 

Radio Jamaica News was informed at about 11:30 a.m., the tanker was travelling along the major thoroughfare when one of its tyres burst. This occurred near the IGL gas facility. 

 

In a bid to avoid a catastrophe, the driver decided to drive the disabled tanker away from the IGL plant on its rim. 

 

The tanker then caught fire and exploded a short distance down the road, causing panic among motorists and employees at nearby companies. 

 

Acting Assistant Commissioner for Area 1 of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Leroy Orr, told Radio Jamaica News that the brigade was alerted to the fire some minutes to 12 p.m. and quickly responded with units from Trench Town, Half Way Tree and York Park.

 

"We got to the scene, we saw the tanker on fire, and we got into operation and were able to contain and eventually extinguish. There's also a warehouse that was also on fire at the front of the premises mentioned previously. We also attacked that fire and managed to [bring] it under control, and we are now presently doing cooling-down operation," said Mr. Orr. 

 

He said investigations into the fire will continue. 

 

Thirty-six firefighters fought the blaze, with one sustaining minor injuries during the operation.