WESTMORELAND, Jamaica  — A massive fire which gutted a maintenance service and hardware property in Negril earlier this evening has been brought under control.

Three children were reportedly inside the building during the fire. Two managed to escape while the other was assisted out by a firefighter after suffering from a panic attack.

The fire reportedly destroyed the main building of BerCom Maintenance Services and Hardware Supplies property located on Norman Manley Boulevard, commonly referred to as Beach Road in Negril.

READ: Maintenance service and hardware property gutted by fire in Negril

A lumber yard located behind the building was saved by firefighters.

The main structure was made up of ply, drywall and zinc.

Assistant Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade Rudolph Seaton told the Observer Online that the brigade received a call at 6:20 pm.

He said four trucks and 30 firefighters from Westmoreland and Hanover responded to the call.

“One unit from the Negril Fire Station responded and subsequently, one pumper from the Savanna-la-Mar Fire Station and a water tender and a pumper from the Lucea Fire Station responded,” stated Seaton, who added that three private water units also offered assistance.

The assistant commissioner stated that while the fire has been extinguished, firefighters are currently carrying out “overhaul and ventilation”.

Seaton said the cause of the fire is undetermined and further investigations are to be carried out.

— Anthony Lewis.