Historic Cave Valley Estate Chimney crumbles

By Kimone Witter    

 

The historic Cave Valley Estate Chimney in St. Ann crumbled on Thursday afternoon, ending years of concern about the safety of the structure.

 

No one was injured.

 

Residents of Cave Valley and political representatives have been calling for the 85-feet chimney to be demolished by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust.

 

The structure, built in or about 1872, is a heritage site.

 

It was once part of the Cave Valley Sugar Estate that took smoke and fumes away from the factory.

 

Cave Valley resident, Lincoln, said he witnessed the crumbling of the historic structure. 

 

"Happy to do that nobody get hurt. People was just running, taking pictures, taking pictures, but none never see it when it coming down like me. But I couldn't take a picture because I have a banger [phone]," he said laughingly.  

 

"I was hoping that it don't create no damage and I was here watching it, coming down so slowly. [It] never create a damage and I was happy to see that," he added. 

 

Another Cave Valley resident, Aaron Simms, said he is saddened at the loss of the landmark, which he believes should have been preserved. 

 

"I was thinking more that they would come and even put some reinforcement around it to keep it standing, prevent it from [falling] like it did now, because as we all know, that this was a landmark and it should be there forever. So I believe it's a neglect from whosoever should really take it into consideration and to preserve it," he lamented.