Wisynco blaze to affect income for thousands

Reports are emerging that some 3,000 persons may be left without a means of income following a massive fire Thursday that gutted a warehouse at the Wisynco complex, in Lakes Pen, St Catherine.

Approximately 500 people worked directly on the compound but there are close to 2,500 persons who gain employment indirectly from the company, a senior company official told Loop News.

The disclosure was made even as firefighters battled the horrific blaze that left millions of dollars of damage in its wake.

More than 50 firefighters from as far as Clarendon, in addition to those from Kingston and St Andrew, responded to the distress call.

As fire fighters battled the inferno, workers wept openly.

"This has really left me at a loss. It was my only source of income for 20 years," Jacqueline Murphy told Loop News.

Kevin Bennett, director of the bus company that transports workers to and from the company, was visibly shaken by the tragedy.

"This is something that will definitely affect the many workers that I employ. I really don't know what is the next step for them," Bennett said.

As he spoke, one woman could be heard telling her daughter that she was at a loss as to her next move.

"This is where I earned my honest bread. I am just at a loss for words," the woman said.

Al Holness, director of sales, said he was confident that despite the tragedy members of the company would be able to pick up the pieces.

"Wisynco has been around for 50 years and I am confident that despite the challenge the company would manage to rise again," Holness said.

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