UPDATE: JPS expresses sympathy for injured firefighters, calls for end to lawlessness
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) is expressing sorrow at the reported electrocution of firefighters, which took place in Greenwich Town, early Tuesday morning.
Noting that the electrocution is believed to be due to contact with illegal connections, the company called for all of Jamaica to work together to put an end to what it described as “persistent lawlessness” in the country.
“It requires a collaborative approach by national stakeholders and renewed emphasis on enforcement of the legal framework,” the company said in a statement to the media Tuesday afternoon.
Adding that the JPS will carry out an investigation into the reported incident, the company said “We are deeply saddened that our dedicated first responders have had to encounter illegal activity in this manner.”
Three members of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) were electrocuted as they worked to extinguish a fire at premises in Greenwich Town, Kingston 13, early Tuesday morning.
READ: WATCH: Three firefighters suffer electric shock while battling house blaze
Reports are that at approximately 2:17 am, firefighters received a call about a building on fire on 7th Street in the Greenwich Town community.
Commissioner of the JFB, Stewart Beckford had stated that two units, one from Trench Town and another from the York Park Fire Station, responded to the fire where three members sustained injuries as they came in contact with live electrical wires strewn across the premises.
The firefighters were taken to the hospital where all three were admitted. At least one of them is believed to be in critical condition, Beckford said.