BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter matthewsk@jamaicaobserver.com Monday, May 05, 2014
MILLIONS of dollars in goods and equipment were destroyed last night by a fire which razed more than 30 stalls at Coronation Market, West Kingston.
Two firefighters were also injured as they suffered electric shock from several live power wires while they fought to put out the blaze.
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| Firemen at Coronation Market |
Police said that about 5:00 pm, vendors saw smoke coming from the Chapel Lane end of the market facility and raised an alarm.
"I was in the market to carry out some work when I see the smoke and start call out fire, fire!" vendor Horace Campbell told the Jamaica Observer.
Campbell made the comment while standing among a large group of vendors who gathered at the location and watched in shock and anger as firefighters fought for more than an hour to put out the blaze.
Firefighters said that they received the call minutes after 5:00 pm but, despite quick action, they were not able to save several stalls. However, they said that they were able to ensure that the inferno did not spread to other areas.
"We received a call about the fire around minutes after 5:00 pm and were able to respond shortly after", said Assistant Superintendent Lawrence Campbell of the York Park Fire Station.
"Four units, from Rollington Town, Trench Town and York Park, were used to bring the fire under control," Campbell told the Observer.
"Two of our men were shocked by loose electric wires while they were putting out the blaze," another fireman said, while sighing with relief that their injuries were not considered life-threatening.
As firemen and police worked to bring the blaze under control, vendors wept openly as they grappled with the sight of their goods being destroyed.
"Ah sleep mi a sleep when mi hear the calls for fire and mi jump up and see people a rush out," said Damion Blackwood, a vendor who said that he lost everything. more
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