KINGSTON, Jamaica – Travelers at Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) faced an unexpected disruption Friday evening after a fire broke out in the Club Kingston lounge. The incident, which was traced to an air conditioning unit, prompted an immediate evacuation of the terminal as smoke spread through the ventilation system.
Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport Daryl Vaz confirmed the situation, stating that the Jamaica Fire Brigade responded swiftly and successfully contained the fire. “I have received confirmation from the operators of the Norman Manley International Airport and the Airports Authority of Jamaica that an air-conditioning unit in the departure terminal caught fire. The resulting smoke triggered a full evacuation,” Vaz reported.
As a result, a British Airways flight, which had already landed, was held on the tarmac and is expected to face delays. However, Vaz assured the public that there was no significant threat to life or property. “The fire is under control, and while there is an ongoing assessment, no other flights have been impacted at this time,” he added.
Passengers awaiting departure were temporarily relocated while authorities conducted safety inspections. Normal operations are expected to resume once clearance is given.
