Local Government Minister, Desmond McKenzie, is giving the assurance that the explosion at Riu Reggae hotel in Montego Bay, St. James is being thoroughly investigated.

In a release Mr. McKenzie says the ministry, through the Jamaica Fire Brigade and the St. James Municipal Corporation, will execute their responsibilities in a professional and timely manner.

He says the determination of the cause of the explosion will emerge from the investigations now being conducted by the fire prevention unit of the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

Additionally, he says the building department of the St. James Municipal Corporation will inspect the boiler room and any other building that may have been affected by the explosion, to ascertain structural soundness and make appropriate recommendations.

Mr. McKenzie says the fire brigade will also conduct a fire safety inspection of all the electrical and other equipment in the boiler room, whenever the facility is restored or repaired.

He adds that the inspection will not be limited to the immediate vicinity of the boiler room, but will include the entire hotel premises, as is the normal requirement.

He says the brigade’s checks to this point, reveal that the hotel is properly certified as compliant with all safety requirements.