Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
Firefighters scramble to put out this massive fire at the Jamaica Bedding Company's 'Sleep On It' mattress factory in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, yesterday.

Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Spanish Town, St. Catherine:

A massive fire severely damaged a section of the Jamaica Bedding Company in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, yesterday, the second time over the past 13 months, leaving 15 persons jobless.

Reports are that, about 3:00 p.m., a loud explosion was heard at the rear of the building and smoke was seen coming from the area. Further checks revealed that the fire was raging in the area which housed several machines and a large quantity of foam material used in the manufacture of mattresses.

A report was made to the nearby Old Harbour Fire Station which responded quickly to the blaze. However, the fire unit arrived without water and the fire continued to rage.

"We received the call and acted promptly. However, when we arrived, we had no water (and we) tried to source water on the compound and call for reinforcement," remarked district officer Michael Brown.

Massive fire

Several persons converged on the scene and the fire was so massive that its heat could be felt hundreds of metres away. It took the efforts of five fire units to bring the blaze under control. Up to press time the fire department was unable to determine its cause.

Plant manager Tony McDonald said he was not sure if the building was insured, but said it was a massive loss, estimated to be several million dollars. The business is operated by Ojay Coolers and this marks the third time in two years that it has been gutted by fire.

In March 2004, the business was gutted along East Street in Old Harbour and, in November of last year, the current building was also gutted by fire. The Old Harbour police are working alongside the fire department to find out whether foul play was involved.