JPS investigating transformer explosion claim in Khemlani Mart blaze
THE Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPSCo) has launched an investigation to ascertain whether the explosion of transformers was the cause of a major early morning fire at the Khemlani Mart home furniture store on Constant Spring Road, St Andrew.
Director of corporate communications at JPS, Winsome Callum, described the fire at Khemlani Mart as “a very unfortunate incident” but could not provide any details on what exactly happened.
“We have a team of investigators who have already started an investigation into the incident. As at now, there is no definitive conclusion as to the cause of the fire. I will be very happy to engage you once we get the report from our investigators but the report is continuing as we speak,” Callum said on Wednesday.
Up to press time Wednesday, the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) could not provide any details on what caused the fire or an estimated cost of the damage.
Close to 2:00 pm on Wednesday, Emeleo Ebanks, public relations officer of the JFB, told the Jamaica Observer that firefighters from the Stony Hill, Half-Way-Tree and York Park Fire Stations had the blaze under control but were still fighting the fire.
“At 6:46 am, we received a call that there was a fire at 195 Constant Spring Road, which houses the Khemlani Mart store. We initially sent two units, after which an additional five joined the fire fight. At this time the fire is under control. We have seven units on location and we are still battling the blaze,” Ebanks said.
Owner of Khemlani Mart Steve Khemlani said that around 6:30 am on Wednesday, shortly after JPS transformers exploded, fire engulfed the store.
“JPS transformers blew and the fire came into the building. The fire brigade has been trying to fight the fire for hours. I think they have their challenges too with a lack of water and equipment but they are managing with the little that they have. There are security grilles all over and it took a while for them to cut the grilles and to find their equipment to cut the grilles. The whole building is smoky and they are trying to get rid of the smoke so that they can enter.”
