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JAM | Nov 18, 2024

Pearnel Charles Arcade razed by fire once again

Howard Walker

Howard Walker / Our Today

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A section of the Pearnel Charles Arcade in down town Kingston is on fire which was reportedly started early Monday morning. (Photo: Our Today)

For the umpteenth time, a section of the Pearnel Charles Arcade in downtown Kingston is on fire.

The arcade on Church Street, which provides earnings for dozens of informal commercial importers (ICIs), also known as higglers, caught fire early Monday morning. Thick black smoke could be seen coming from the building.

In 2012, a fire destroyed about 40 shops, razing millions of dollars in the section referred to as Blocks A and B. Sections of the building are yet to be repaired.

The police have blocked a section of Church Street at East Parade as firemen struggled to contain the blazing building due to what seemed to be a shortage of water.

In 2005, the arcade was destroyed by fire and before that, in 1990.

Like today, the last two fires occurred early Monday morning.

More to come.

Tags
fire Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Pearnel Charles Arcade

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