Fire at Freemason building in New Kingston

An assessment would have to be done today on a fire that broke out at the Masonic Building on Barbados Avenue in New Kingston, last night.

The Friendly Lodge No. 239, a Freemasons Lodge in the District of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, holds its meetings in the building.

The inferno, which began in the basement area, propelled thick chunks of smoke up through the first, second and third floors.

The Ministry of Health occupies two of the floors, however, our news team was told that section was spared even as smoke escaped through some windows.

An area close to the A1 Restaurant, which is situated near the basement, received the brunt of the damage.

When THE STAR arrived on the scene, the fire crew was working assiduously to contain the blaze and perform cooling-down operations.

Three units, two from York Park and one from Half-Way Tree responded to the blaze. THE STAR was told that tables, chairs, doors, and a partition were totally destroyed.

The origin of the fire was undetermined.

District officer of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Kasia Davis told THE STAR: "Based on the fact that inside is dark and it's a basement, we can't say exactly what happened. We have to come back tomorrow morning. There is a lot of smoke and heat, so I would not recommend anyone going in there now."

There were no reports of injuries.