Flames at the Front Door: Man Charged With Setting Fire to a Port Antonio Church

• A 40-year-old Port Antonio man has been charged with arson over a fire at a church
• Residents of the Allan Avenue community spotted flames at the church’s front door at dawn
• Police say he was seen throwing papers through the door to spread the fire
• Damage to the structure was estimated at $250,000

A 40-year-old man has been charged with arson after a fire at a church in Port Antonio, Portland, the Gleaner reported on April 8, 2025. Police named him as Farouk Forrester of Love Lane in the town.

According to the Port Antonio police, residents of the Allan Avenue community saw flames coming from the front door of the church at about 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, and called the authorities. When officers arrived, the police said, “Forrester was seen throwing papers through the front door of the church in an attempt to spread the flames.”

Emergency responders put out the fire and Forrester was taken into custody. The police said he was then taken to hospital and admitted. The damage to the building was estimated at $250,000, and his court date was still being finalised when the report was published. The name of the church was not given.

The outcome could have been much worse. The fire was caught early because neighbours were awake and paying attention at dawn, and responders were able to put it out before it spread through the building. Church buildings are often empty for long stretches between services, with wooden doors, pews, hymnals and paper that can catch quickly once a fire takes hold.

For congregations, the case is a reminder that a church is a property like any other and needs the same protection. Neighbours who know the building and will call for help, lighting, secure doors, working extinguishers and an up-to-date insurance policy that reflects what it would cost to repair or rebuild are all part of looking after it. A $250,000 repair bill is manageable for many churches. Losing an entire sanctuary and its contents, as some Jamaican congregations have learned, can take years of fundraising to recover from.

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