By Claudia Gardner, Freelance WriterHANOVER:
A MASSIVE fire gutted more than half of the Hanover Agencies Complex in Lucea yesterday resulting in over $100 million in losses by owners of four shops there.
The blaze, which began shortly after 3:30 a.m., had to be extinguished by three fire units and 41 men from the Lucea, Negril and Montego Bay fire departments. It totally burnt out the Occasion Nightclub, Crystal Fashion and sections of the Best Price Hardware and the Hanover Wholesale Supermarket.
According to officer in charge of the Lucea Fire Department Deputy Superintendent, Morine Thompson, the fire was the largest and most destructive seen in the parish since the start of the year.
"We received a call shortly after 3:30 that the Hanover Agencies Complex was on fire," Superintendent Thompson noted. "When we arrived a section of the building was on fire but it was charged with electric current. We summoned the JPSCo (Jamaica Public Service Company) to disconnect the wires in order for us to start fire fighting operations. It took some time for them to arrive."
She added: "We also realised that the lone unit from the Lucea Fire Station could not do the job, so we sought assistance from Montego Bay and Negril."
The owner of the worst burnt store Best Price Hardware, Alexander Bartlett, estimated his losses at over $70 million. He said the items lost ranged from a forklift to lumber, cement, zinc, tile and baths and various electrical items. Nothing was salvaged from the fashion store or the nightclub.
The National Works Agency, which was called in by Superintendent Thompson, demolished the remaining walls of the building that were on the verge of collapse.
