Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

Farmer Albert McDonald stands on his burnt-out farm in Cheapside, St Elizabeth, yesterday. More than 100 acres of land was burnt in Cheapside on Monday when fire of unknown origin engulfed the community. Police suspect the fire may have been caused by person(s) clearing the land for farming when the fire got out of control. - photo by Noel Thompson

Western Bureau:

Bush fires again razed about 30 acres of land in New Forest, at the border of St Elizabeth and south Manchester, yesterday - the second consecutive day fire burnt sections of the Breadbasket parish.

This time, however, the fire did not damage farm produce or livestock, as was the case when more than 100 acres went up in flames on Monday.

The St Elizabeth Fire Department said houses, crops and livestock were threatened, but firefighters managed to quell the blaze before the worst could happen.

The fire department said it received reports, at 11:30 a.m. yesterday, that children had been playing with a fire that got out of control. It took five units from the Junction, Santa Cruz, Black River and Alpart fire stations to bring the blaze under control.

Assessments

Meanwhile, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) parish office in St Elizabeth said it was still carrying out assessments to quantify the losses from Monday's blaze.

"We are still collecting information and we expect to complete our reports by (Wednesday)," said Elton Bent, RADA parish manager.

More than 30 farmers have suffered losses estimated at millions of dollars and this figure could rise. Bent said he was not aware of any farmers who had insured his or her crops.

He said, however, that RADA would submit a report to the Government which usually assists farmers in getting back into production.