KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) Sunday evening is advising the public to avoid the Tavestock, Ivor, Cassia Ridge and Westphalia communities in the St Andrew hills, as a major bush fire continues to burn in the area.
Reports are that the fire started from Saturday.
ODPEM says that the fire is being fought by units from the Kingston and St Andrew region of the Fire Brigade, with additional resources from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the National Water Commission (NWC).
Large acreages of farmland and at least two houses have already been destroyed by the fire, reports say.
According to ODPEM the prevailing windy condition in the area is posing a threat of further spread.
