Post office torched after cops shut down dance

Men who were reportedly upset that police shut off a dance are believed to be behind the burning down of the Gayle Post Office in St Mary early Sunday morning.

"Yes, that is our understanding," a police officer at the Gayle Police Station said yesterday.

Several residents of Gayle and adjoining communities have been impacted by the fire.

"The police went to shut down the party after the 2 o'clock lock-off time. It was minutes to four. Shortly after, the post office caught fire," said the police officer.

The fire department is still conducting investigations to determine what caused the fire, while the police are planning to interview several persons who attended the dance.

THE STAR understands that after the music was turned off, some patrons began to hurl insults at the lawmen and threatened to be destructive.

Persons who attended the party later gathered in the vicinity of the post office. Smoke was seen coming from the building shortly afterwards.

Two units from the Ocho Rios and Port Maria fire departments responded, but not before all the post office's contents were destroyed.