Fire guts soft drinks factory

OPERATIONS at the multi-million dollar soft drinks manufacturing company SM Jaleel Limited came to a halt following a fire Sunday night which completely gutted the warehouse area. While police and fire officials have not yet determined the cause of the fire, employees speculated that it may have been triggered by an electrical problem. Up until late yesterday officials were still counting the losses estimated to run into millions of dollars. Expensive equipment and raw material used in the manufacture of soft drinks were destroyed by the fire.  Newsday understands that around 5 am yesterday, the blaze re-ignited, forcing officials to once again call in the Fire Service. The SM Jaleel factory at Otaheite, South Oropouche, is one of the main soft drinks manufacturing firms in the country, and is well known for its wide range of beverages including Busta, Chubby, American Classic Cola, Lime-in, Fruta, Oasis Water and Viva. Several of the products are exported to European and US markets.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire started around 9 pm on Sunday near an area of the factory known as the ‘pet line’. The factory quickly became engulfed in flames.  At one time firemen were worried that the fire would spread to a neighbouring company, Inland and Offshore Limited. Officials from that company moved out several vehicles from the compound which were parked too close to the flames. Reporters were barred from entering the compound by the company’s security, and company officials who were at the scene Sunday night refused to comment. However, a press release yesterday, which was signed by Marketing Director Anna Mohammed, said there was loss of material and equipment in one area of the factory, no one was injured, and damage was contained within the compound. Operations at the factory will be affected for a few days while repairs are carried out. The release also stated that some members of staff have been asked to proceed on a week’s vacation leave. Company officials expect a full resumption of operations within the week. The fire has not disrupted the supply of any of the company’s products to customers, officials said.

Suresh Jaikaram, an employee for the past three years, told Newsday his colleagues saw sparks coming from inside the compound moments before the fire started. He said the area was used for storage of raw material and chemicals, including plastics, retin, sugar and wooden pallets. He said tests had recently been carried out on combustible materials in that particular area. According to Jaikaram, hundreds of persons would be on the breadline for a long time because it would take months before that area could be repaired. Kay Ramroop, a resident, who has two sons employed in the company, broke down in tears as she recalled seeing white smoke coming from the factory. “My sons were getting ready to pick up the 11 pm to 7 am shift when I saw the factory burning down,” she said. Ramroop said she felt really hurt because the company provides jobs for several persons in the community. Officials from the Mon Repos, San Fernando and Siparia Fire Stations quickly arrived on the scene but despite their efforts, it took them all of Sunday night and early yesterday morning to get the blaze under control. Up to 1 am, fire officials were still battling the flames. Fire fighters complained that there was a low water supply in the area, hence they had to call WASA on several occasions before the water pressure was increased. One fire-officer attributed the rapid spread of the flames to the “highly flammable chemicals” stored on the compound. Police investigators were on the scene yesterday along with forensic experts. Sgt Rampersad and PC Gokool are continuing investigations.