Massive Fire Destroys 95 Shops at Pearnel Charles Arcade in Kingston

A devastating fire swept through the Pearnel Charles Arcade in downtown Kingston on the morning of November 18, destroying 95 shops and displacing 54 vendors.

The Jamaica Fire Brigade received the alarm at 7:08 a.m. A unit from the Trench Town Fire Station initially responded, but due to the scale of the blaze, reinforcements were called in from Rollington Town, Half-Way Tree, and York Park fire stations.

Senior Superintendent Patrick Gooden, Divisional Commander of the Kingston and St Andrew Division, explained the complexity of the operation.

“On arrival, they discovered that the fire was burning out of control and they subsequently called for assistance,” Gooden said.

A total of 46 firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the inferno, which took two hours to bring under control.

The firefighters encountered difficulties gaining access to the shops due to multiple locks on grilles and doors, which slowed down their efforts. However, they were eventually able to overcome this obstacle.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Authorities are conducting investigations to ascertain what triggered the massive blaze that devastated the popular arcade.

The fire has left vendors with significant losses as their livelihoods have gone up in smoke. The Pearnel Charles Arcade, a bustling hub for small businesses in downtown Kingston, is a crucial economic space for many of the affected vendors.

Efforts are now underway to assist those impacted, and further updates on the investigation and support measures are expected in the coming days.