Early morning blaze
On the morning of Thursday, April 28, 2011, fire destroyed the pantry at the Salvation Army School for the Blind, located along Mannings Hill Road in Kingston, Jamaica.
Alarm sounded
“Early in the morning at 4:45, I was alerted by the farm-hand who came to get some wood to start the (School’s) chicken plucking process. He saw smoke and realized something was wrong. He called me to say there was fire in the kitchen, when I came I saw fire coming from there (the door to the pantry). I tried to use the fire extinguisher but that didn’t work” said the School’s Administrator, Captain Edward Lyons.
“Everything is gone, all the food supplies to start the school term” he said.
Short Circuit
It has since been determined that a short circuit from the air conditioning unit located in the pantry sparked the fire. As Captain Lyons made his way around the charred remains of shelves, refrigerators and a freezer which still contained meat supplies, he said damage could be in the region of J$5 million (US$ 59,000).
In the aftermath of the fire, there has been a setback in the opening school following the Easter break.
According to Captain Lyons, the institution is now focused on moving forward by repairing the damage to the building and replenishing the supply of food. The Salvation Army School for the Blind caters to just over one hundred children – aged 5 -18 and during the school term they remain as boarders at the school, returning home for holidays. Those who live within the Corporate Area are encouraged to go home on weekends.
HELP NEEDED
The School has since launched an appeal for help. Donations may be made via their website at www.salvationarmycarib.org or by way of CCB Eye Care Caribbean at www.eyecarecaribbean.com
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{besps}/fire-at-salvation-army/{/besps}
{besps_c}0| IMG_3613.jpg | | This freeze was destroyed by the recent fire at the school {/besps_c}
{besps_c}0| IMG_3615.jpg | | Walls of the pantry reflect damage done by pre-dawn fire at The Salvation Army School for the Blind – Jamaica {/besps_c}
{besps_c}0| IMG_3614.jpg | | Another view of the damage {/besps_c}
{besps_c}0| IMG_3616.jpg | | Hundreds of pounds of meat remained in the freezer only hours after the fire {/besps_c}
{besps_c}0| IMG_3618.jpg | | Captain Edward Lyons – Administra
{besps_c}0| IMG_3617.jpg | | Partially frozen meat in charred remains of the freezer. {/besps_c}
{besps_c}0| IMG_3619.jpg | | This refrigerat
{besps_c}0| IMG_3611.jpg | | Remains of burnt out refrigerat
{besps_c}0| IMG_3612.jpg | | Burnt Shelves {/besps_c}
{besps_c}0| IMG_3624.jpg | | The Salvation Army School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Children was establishe