MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Fire gutted a bar and a restaurant on Ward Avenue in Mandeville on Saturday morning, leaving two business owners with over $20 million in losses and scores of neighbouring establishments without electricity.

Firefighters at the Mandeville Fire Station received a call about 4:15 am that the two businesses, Newsman Fry Chicken and No Traction Chill Spot, were on fire.

The blaze was contained and, following cooling down operations, was extinguished shortly after 6:00 am. Preliminary reports from the fire department estimated the loss resulting from the fire at $20 million.

Proprietor of Newsman Fry Chicken, Adeka Miller, said the restaurant has been in operation for one month and estimated his losses at about $10 million.

“I got a call about 4:25 am of flames coming from next door my [restaurant], which is the bar. When I came, I realised that the bar was totally gone and my place from the outside looked partially damaged,” he said.

“Upon looking inside, I realised that it was burnt out entirely. I lost everything. I would say about $10 million, including equipment, stock and cash, was in there; it is a great loss, a great blow,” he continued, adding that he has four employees.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established as investigations continue.

— Kasey Williams