OCHO RIOS, Jamaica – Fire fighters from the parishes St Ann and St Mary managed to get the fire at the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande under control on Friday evening, March 27. However, it was not before the fire destroyed a section of the hotel’s north tower lobby area.

The area reportedly was being used to store furniture to be placed in the refurbished and new rooms at the hotel.

Fire fighters from Ocho Rios, St Ann’s Bay, Brown’s Town and St Mary worked to control the fire on Friday evening while employees were evacuated from the property.  The St Ann police also maintained a presence at the location.

The Moon Palace Resort has had to change the date for opening their only property outside of Mexico a number of times. Work at the Ocho Rios location has been affected by industrial actions as workers demonstrated on several occasions after they were not paid.

Friday’s fire was a shock to many, even workers on site who expressed shock.

The Moon Palace Resort management officially launched the hotel brand in Jamaica on Tuesday last at the Evita’s Italian Restaurant in Ocho Rios.  It was revealed that the property was 80 per cent completed.  While no date was given for completion, management team had said they expected the hotel to be opened soon.