KINGSTON, Jamaica – Illegal electric connections are being blamed for the injuries sustained by three members of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) as they worked to extinguish a fire at premises in Greenwich Town, Kingston 13 early Tuesday morning.

Observer Online understands that at approximately 2:17 am, firefighters received a call about a building on fire on 7th Street in the Greenwich Town community.

According to Stewart Beckford, Commissioner of the JFB, two units, one from Trench Town and another from the York Park Fire Station, responded. He shared that during their operations, three members of the JFB 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. Though their injuries are not considered life-threatening at this time, Beckford says at least one of his men is believed to be in critical condition.

“I visited with all three this morning (Tuesday). Their injuries are considered serious but not life-threatening and we are hopeful that at least two of them may be discharged from the hospital soon,” he shared, outlining that the incident has rehashed concerns regarding illegal electric connections.

The incident has rehashed concerns regarding illegal electric connections.

“The situation has shone a light on the whole matter of illegal connections and the danger that this poses to our firefighters, especially at night. We could have lost these three firefighters,” he lamented.

He went on to assure the public that all the injured firefighters were properly attired in all the necessary work gear.

“It is not uncommon for firefighters to go to fires and receive electric shocks but this is one of the most serious that we have seen in recent times,” he said, imploring homeowners to desist from establishing illegal electric connections.

“I want to make a special plea to house owners, and Jamaicans in general, when you do these things not only does it pose a threat to your property, because we suspect that the cause of the fire could have been due to an electrical short circuit, it poses a danger to our firefighters as well because we could have lost easily three firefighters this morning.”

Though an electrical short circuit is being blamed for the blaze, Beckford says investigations are ongoing as the JFB aims to figure out the source of the fire.