A pre-dawn blaze at Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records in Montego Bay has left the popular restaurant with significant damage, triggering an immediate investigation and raising concerns for ongoing hurricane relief efforts tied to the location. According to an official statement, the fire broke out early Saturday morning while the property was still operating under generator power following Hurricane Melissa.
The St. James branch—still closed to the public as staff dealt with post-storm recovery—had been functioning as a crucial support base for World Central Kitchen, which has been using the facility to prepare hot meals daily for residents impacted by the hurricane. But at approximately 1:47 a.m., members of the meal-preparation team arrived and discovered flames consuming parts of the building. The Jamaica Fire Brigade was called right away, yet by the time firefighters reached the scene, the upper floor was already fully ablaze.
Fire crews were able to contain the blaze before it spread further, and no injuries were reported. The restaurant’s management confirmed that the site had been running exclusively on generator power due to lingering electricity issues across the parish—one of several complications that staff had been managing in the aftermath of Melissa. While the cause of the fire remains unknown, the Jamaica Fire Brigade has launched a formal probe.
Tracks & Records says it is now assessing the extent of the damage while working closely with authorities. The company emphasised that its immediate focus is ensuring safety and preserving whatever operations are still possible, particularly its partnership with World Central Kitchen. More updates are expected once investigations conclude and structural assessments are completed.
As Montego Bay continues its slow recovery from Melissa, the future timeline for the restaurant’s reopening and relief operations remains uncertain.
