KINGSTON, Jamaica – A number of residents have been marooned in their homes in the Guava Ridge area of East Rural St Andrew, as wildfires intensified today.

The fire, which has been burning for a few days, today caused soldiers and firefighters to beat a hasty retreat as it spread to the roadway from the valley, with blinding smoke and heat.

While on the scene, a fire brigade unit ran out of water and had to leave for a refill. A power line was also damaged by the blaze.

Residents have reported that they have been trapped in their homes because of the fire from before midday.

A woman, who spoke with OBSERVER ONLINE, said the fire was just below her house and that she could not go outside her yard.

While, a male resident told OBSERVER ONLINE that firefighters didn’t deal with the situation properly, as they failed to contain the blaze while it was in the gully.

Another resident said that about 30 people live in the immediate vicinity of the fire.