Fire at Wray & Nephew, But Rum Stocks Safe for Xmas

The Ministry of Transport and Works last night opened up the Portmore Toll Road to toll-free traffic up to midnight, to reduce congestion in the Spanish Town Road area of Kingston created by a major fire at the Wray and Nephew plant.
The fire started at about 6 p.m. and was still in progress four hours later. Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding and Minister responsible for Information, Hon. Daryl Vaz, were among a number of Government Ministers who rushed to the scene.

Scenes from the fire at Wray & Nephew Limited, Spanish Town Road, Kingston, taken some four hours after the fire started last night.

But, Mr. Vaz confirmed, three hours later, that despite the size of the fire it did not affect the operations, or rum storage at the plant, as it was restricted to a warehouse used to store barrels.
“All the emergency services are here, including ODPEM. The fire brigade has brought the fire under control. The operation is definitely not affected, but we will keep the tolls open until about midnight.” Mr. Vaz told JIS News shortly after 9 p.m.
At least seven fire units from the York Park and Trench Town stations battled the flames. The cause of the fire could not be ascertained and there were no reports of injury to anyone.

Scenes from the fire at Wray & Nephew Limited, Spanish Town Road, Kingston, taken some four hours after the fire started last night.

In a release issued at 9 p.m., the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) advised the public of the fire and reported that “emergency responders” were on the scene.
ODPEM urged motorists travelling out of Kingston to Portmore and other rural areas via the Mandela Highway to continue to use the Toll Road to Spanish Town instead, as Spanish Town Road, between Three Miles and Six Miles, remained inaccessible.
The police had earlier asked residents of surrounding communities, such as Headley Avenue, White Wing and Ashoka Road to take precaution, in case the fire spread.

Scenes from the fire at Wray & Nephew Limited, Spanish Town Road, Kingston, taken some four hours after the fire started last night.

Wray & Nephew’s products include Appleton Special and Estate rums and the popular White Overproof rum.