St Mary police probing suspected arson attacks in Rock River
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The St Mary police are investigating a series of suspected arson incidents in the Rock River area of Richmond, which occurred between Friday and Saturday of last week, resulting in significant property damage.
Police sources said that on Friday, August 21, about 3:30 a.m., residents were alerted after fire was allegedly set to several vehicles and a business establishment in the community.
The police said that despite efforts to contain the blaze, two motor vehicles and a bar were destroyed.
In addition, a property belonging to a serving member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force was among those destroyed.
In another incident, about 6:00 a.m. on Friday, a resident was alerted to a fire at another business establishment in the community.
The blaze was extinguished before it could spread throughout the structure, resulting in minor damage.
On Saturday, August 22, about 3:30 a.m., the police said that a resident was awakened by an unusually bright light and discovered that a nearby three-bedroom board house was engulfed in flames.
“Efforts were made to extinguish the fire; however, the blaze quickly spread to an adjoining concrete dwelling house that was under construction,” stated Superintendent Anthony Wallace, commanding officer for the St Mary Police Division.
He added: “The board house and an outside kitchen were completely destroyed, while sections of the concrete structure and its contents were extensively damaged. The Fire Department responded to the incidents and carried out firefighting and cooling-down operations.”
The scenes were visited by the police and processed as investigators seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the fires, including whether the incidents are connected.
The total value of the property destroyed has not yet been determined.
Investigations are continuing.
- Gareth Davis Snr
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