(Jamaica Gleaner) – The drama started about 11 on Thursday morning while work was being done on a section of the roof of the terminal building.

According to the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), the requisite permit had been issued for the ‘hot work’, but a minor incident occurred, which resulted in smoke entering the ventilation system and travelling through the main terminal.

For scores of people in the check-in area, and many others in the departure lounge, it was a scary experience as the fire alarm sounded and smoke filled the air.

“It was chaos!” said a Jamaican who was in the departure lounge awaiting a flight to Montego Bay, St James.
“Pandemonium! That’s what it was. There was no order anywhere,” said Ruth, a Trinidadian who was destined to leave the island early Thursday afternoon.