Kingston’s industrial belt was rocked on Monday when a Future Energy Source Company (Fesco) tanker erupted beside the Agri World Farm Store at 591 Spanish Town Road, one of the mixed-use assets in Kingston Properties Limited’s portfolio. The mid-afternoon inferno forced a multi-station Jamaica Fire Brigade response and blanketed the district in acrid smoke for close to three hours.
How the Fire Unfolded
Witnesses say the LPG-laden vehicle had just finished off-loading when a spark—believed to have come from static discharge—ignited residual vapours along the loading bay. Flames raced through the service corridor and punched straight into Agri World’s stock of chemicals and fertilisers, triggering a rapid-fire succession of mini-explosions. Fire-fighters ultimately subdued the blaze with a foam blanket designed for petrochemical events.
Immediate Fallout
- Structural impact: Preliminary engineering walk-throughs late Monday evening confirmed damage is confined to Agri World’s 8,000-square-foot retail block.
- Tenant status: McIntosh Bedding’s decommissioned factory—currently in liquidation—escaped harm, as did other ancillary offices.
- Casualties: No injuries were reported among staff or passers-by; one fire-fighter received on-site treatment for heat exhaustion.
What It Means for Kingston Properties
The incident lands in the middle of KPREIT’s capital-recycling drive. Management only weeks ago signalled that several mature Jamaican holdings could be off-loaded or redeveloped to unlock higher yields. Monday’s fire adds a wrinkle:
- Insurance claim vs. divestment clock – Any material loss assessment must be squared with the board’s timeline for asset realignment.
- Tenant support obligations – Agri World’s interruption could trigger short-term rent abatements or cap-ex outlays the REIT had not budgeted for.
- Perception risk – A fire-singed warehouse is hardly brochure material while KPREIT courts buyers and new tenants for its 30,000 square-foot vacancy, recently advertised at US$26,250 per month.
Next Steps on the Ground
- Kingston Properties has engaged loss-adjusters and structural engineers to deliver a forensic report within ten days.
- Fesco representatives are cooperating with the Jamaica Fire Brigade to establish official cause and liability.
- Agri World’s management team is assessing inventory loss; early estimates suggest a high six-figure Jamaican-dollar hit, mostly in feed stock and irrigation components.
