Almost 100 shops destroyed in massive Pearnel Charles Arcade fire

A total 95 shops, occupied by 54 vendors, were destroyed this morning in the massive inferno which ravaged sections of the Pearnel Charles Arcade in downtown, Kingston.

Head of the Kingston and St Andrew Division of the Jamaica Fire Brigade Senior Superintendent Patrick Gooden told The STAR that they responded to a fire call at 7:08 a.m.

“One Unit from the Trench Town Fire Station responded. On arrival, they discovered that the fire was burning out of control and they subsequently called for assistance from [the] Rollington Town, Half Way Tree and York Park fire stations,”  Gooden said.

A total of 46 firefighters attended the scene and managed to bring the fire under control in two hours.

“Gaining access to the stalls by virtue of the locks that they have placed on them. Some shops have multiple locks on the grille so it was a challenge but we eventually were able to overcome that aspect of it,” Gooden continued.

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar