Same old song for Ray Ray Market after another fire

The tears shed by the vendors at Ray Ray Market over the years could put out the fire that consumed their goods Tuesday morning.

The marketplace, nestled in the heart of downtown Kingston, has become synonymous with tragedy as a string of fires have relentlessly torn through its stalls, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair. The exact number of fires that have plagued Ray Ray Market is elusive, as locals recount the countless blazes that have reduced their livelihoods to ashes. However, THE STAR has looked back at a tumultuous last decade for the marketplace. Over that span, a series of blazes have ravaged the grounds of Ray Ray Market where vendors have consistently faced significant losses and have gone through the arduous process of rebuilding.

The various headlines encapsulate the enduring struggle of the vendors, who find themselves trapped in a cycle of destruction and rebuilding, with little support from local authorities. They were vocal in saying "I t' the same old song."

"Happy anniversary with tears, happy anniversary without cheers. This is a toast for you my dear, ain't no resolution la la la," were the words of a remixed song being performed by an old woman, the sole vendor still walking through the burned grounds of what used to be her livelihood. Amid the ruins, a sense of resignation hung heavy in the air. Vendors, once full of hope, now sat in silence, staring blankly at the scorched earth before them.

Ingrid, a veteran vendor who has called Ray Ray Market home for more than two decades, voiced her anguish as she contemplated her losses.

"Mi did have 10 barrels and five burn up. Mi neva believe because every time it burn down, mi deh here. But this time when mi get the call mi never deh here," she shared, tears welling in her eyes. Ingrid's despair was mirrored by her fellow vendors, who grappled with the harsh reality of their situation. One man, known simply as Sledge, recounted the devastation of losing millions worth of goods in the latest blaze.

"A the last road this mi deh pon," he murmured, his voice heavy after another loss. "I had more than 15 barrels at least that was in the stall."

Yet, amid the rubble, there were signs of resilience. Sledge, his demeanour calm despite the chaos, remained determined to rebuild for the sake of his grandchildren.

"Every year the same thing, we just interview, we talk and we don't get any help," he reflected. "Mi tired fi run behind them, and I will not continue to do it because I have run out of count the number of times this has happened."

As the vendors grapple with their losses, the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, was on site of the latest tragedy. He assured the vendors that clean-up efforts will commence promptly, and urged citizens to cooperate with authorities as investigations unfold.

Yet, for the vendors of Ray Ray Market, the scars of past fires run deep, their faith in the authorities' promises wearing thin. As they picked up the pieces once more, they feared the same thing will happen again.