A HUGE blaze tore through Usain Bolt’s restaurant in Jamaica in the early hours of Saturday.
The popular joint, called Tracks & Records, in Montego Bay, St James, was severely damaged after the blaze erupted at around 1am.
Bolt’s spot sits on the Hip Strip – one of Jamaica’s most vibrant tourist corridors – and has become a landmark since its opening in 2018.
The timing of the disaster is particularly tragic as the restaurant was actively supporting hurricane relief efforts.
Members of the meal preparation team arrived at around 1:45 am and discovered the blaze.
They called the Jamaica Fire Brigade who rushed to the scene, but by that time the upper floor was already engulfed.
Crews managed to contain the fire, but were unable to prevent significant destruction to the building.
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, and officials spent the morning sifting through debris and taking statements from staff.
Thankfully, there have been no immediate reports of injuries.
Tracks & Records was participating in the World Central Kitchen project – providing daily meals to communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa.
It was doing all this while relying on a generator for power, as mains electricity had still not been restored after the disaster.
The restaurant had not yet opened back up to the public.
Tracks & Records, founded by world-record holding Olympic legend Usain Bolt, has become a fixture of Montego Bay’s entertainment and dining scene.
Tourists and locals alike treasure the sports-themed space serving up Caribbean cuisine.
The loss represents not only a blow to the local hospitality industry, but also disrupts vital community support services the restaurant was providing in the aftermath of the recent hurricane.
Acting Superintendent Oneil Kerr, the Jamaica Fire Brigade’s lead investigator for St James, said: “Upon arrival, the team observed fire coming from the roof of Tracks & Records.
“They immediately got into operation, and within a few minutes the situation was brought under control.”
Kerr said early observations indicate “significant” damage to the property.
“The fire was confined to the upper floors, which hold the dining area, bar, restrooms, and an office space,” he said.
“But as it relates to getting the property owners to do their evaluation of the items they had stored, that will determine the full cost.
“Based on observation, the extent appears to be significant.”
There was unconfirmed speculation that the fire was caused by power returning to the building.
