The historic Half Way Tree clock in St. Andrew was the scene of a fire Tuesday morning.
Smoke was seen coming from the top of the tower. The blaze was extinguished by fire personnel.
RJR News was informed that the fire was started by a man believed to be suffering from a mental illness.
Emilio Ebanks, Public Relations Officer at the Jamaica Fire Brigade, said garbage in the base of the clock was set ablaze.
The Half Way Tree Clock underwent major restoration in 2003.
Meanwhile, the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) has expressed regret at the damage to the historic clock.
In a statement on Tuesday, Senator Dr. Angela Brown Burke, Mayor of Kingston, said she hopes that the clock will be restored as quickly as possible. She says the KSAC will do its part to preserve this historic landmark.
The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), also expressed shock over the damage to the Half Way Tree Clock. The agency had assisted in its restoration in 2003.
Garfield Dixon, Marketing and Public Relations Manager at BSJ, said the agency will participate in discussions regarding repairs following this lastest incident.
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