Urgent calls for repentance as fires raze homes, schools, businesses in parts of the island
A series of fires in recent weeks at private residences, business places, markets, schools and even police stations has reignited calls for national leaders and Jamaicans in general to repent.
From as early as 2022, prophecies had declared that the country would be witnessing a series of fires, which were an extension of God’s judgement for turning away from righteousness and embracing satanic agendas.
One of the most recent fires was at the departure lounge at the Norman Manley International Airport on Saturday. The fire resulted in temporary flight delays and videos showed passengers and airport staff evacuating the area. In a statement, PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL), the operator of NMIA, said that, “The terminal building was safely evacuated in accordance with our emergency protocols, and there are no reported injuries at this time. Airport emergency response teams and local fire services are working to contain the situation.” Preliminary assessments suggest the fire started in an air conditioning vent inside the Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge.
The following day, approximately 10 shops were destroyed by fire at the Ocho Rios Market in St Ann. Many of the major fires in recent times have been at markets across the island. At least 95 shops were destroyed last November at the Pearnel Charles Arcade in downtown Kingston. It took 46 firefighters to get the blaze under control. There were fires at the Lucea market in Hanover and the Old Shoe market in Montego Bay, St James last year.
“Within the last year, we have experienced more than seven major fires in markets across the country; 99 percent of those fires were because of electrical short circuit,” noted Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie during his address at the opening ceremony of the ‘Local Government Expo,’ held at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston on November 20.
Fires have ravished several schools in the last few weeks. The principal’s office, staffroom, a classroom and the library were gutted by fire at the Leeds Primary and Infant School in St. Elizabeth on March 9. The fire, which caused $50 million worth of damages, resulted in classes going online. Several classrooms, the library, a storeroom, canteen and other areas at the Brunswick Early Childhood Development Centre in Spanish Town, St Catherine were also destroyed by fire earlier this year. The Oracabessa Primary School in St Mary suffered a similar fate in February this year.
Four vehicles were damaged recently after a fire of unknown origin broke out on the grounds of the Spanish Town Police Station in St Catherine, and several Kingston residents were left homeless after fire razed a section of Love Lane in downtown Kingston. The cause of that fire too was unknown. Two days prior to this fire, a major fire on Fleet Street and Ladd Lane in downtown Kingston resulted in more than 50 residents being homeless. At least twelve homes were gutted by the blaze.
There have been several major fires globally as well of unknown origin.
Multiple fatalities were reported in Oklahoma after wildfires burned across the state last weekend. There were at least 200 injuries related to the wildfires and more than 400 homes were destroyed. Devastating wildfires that swept California in January caused at least 29 deaths and displaced hundreds of residents.
Fire is often portrayed as a manifestation of God’s power, presence, and judgment in the Bible.
