A routine evening at Norman Manley International Airport turned chaotic on Friday when smoke filled parts of the departure terminal, triggering an emergency response and a full evacuation.
Reports indicate that an air conditioning unit inside the Club Kingston lounge overheated, leading to a fire that quickly sent plumes of smoke through the ventilation system. Airport staff moved swiftly to clear the area while firefighters from the Jamaica Fire Brigade worked to contain the situation.
Transport Minister Daryl Vaz later reassured the public that the fire had been brought under control and there was no significant threat to passengers or airport infrastructure. However, the incident caused disruption, particularly for a British Airways flight awaiting departure, which was delayed pending clearance from authorities.
Despite the scare, operations at the airport resumed shortly after, with no further flight disruptions reported. Officials are expected to conduct a full assessment to determine the cause of the malfunction and prevent future occurrences.
