A liquefied-petroleum gas (LPG) tanker owned by Future Energy Source Company (Fesco) erupted in flames just before midday on Monday, torching the Agri World Farm Store inside Kingston Properties Limited’s (KPREIT) industrial compound at 591 Spanish Town Road, Kingston.
Three-Hour Battle to Contain the Blaze
The Jamaica Fire Brigade logged its first distress call at 11:58 a.m. and ultimately deployed 37 firefighters drawn from five stations, reinforced by six units—four engines and two tankers. Crews used a foam suppressant to smother the volatile fuel fire and declared the incident under control at 3:25 p.m. No civilian injuries were reported, though one firefighter suffered a minor wound.
Damage Confined to Agri World
Early inspections indicate that structural damage is limited to the Agri World building, a retailer of irrigation equipment, feed and farm chemicals. Other tenants escaped largely unharmed, including the former McIntosh Bedding factory—now in liquidation—where real-estate representatives confirmed only a security post sustained minor heat damage.
What the Property Is Worth
KPREIT has been marketing the 30,000 square-foot mix of warehouse and office space for US $26,250 per month since earlier this year. The site—part of an 8,118 square-foot landholding—carried a year-end 2024 valuation just shy of US $3.4 million.
Broader Portfolio Shuffle
The fire comes as KPREIT reshapes its real-estate portfolio, signalling plans to recycle capital into higher-yield projects. In its first-quarter filing, the company revealed that one Jamaican asset—unnamed—has already been classified “held for sale” at roughly US $3.5 million, underscoring a strategy of divestment an redevelopment. Management has not yet indicated how Monday’s incident might alter those plans or whether insurance will cover remediation expenses.
KPREIT told this publication that a full engineering appraisal is under way; further details on losses and any tenant-relief measures will be disclosed when available.
