By- Myesha Broadie and Sonya Harvey

Firefighters were hampered in their efforts to battle a blaze at the Stand Hope Market in Lucea Hanover this morning, due to water access challenges.

Twenty-eight (28) shops were destroyed or damaged by the fire, which occurred at about 3:51 AM..

Commissioner of the Fire Brigade Stewart Beckford told Irie FM News that units from the Lucea, Montego Bay and Negril Fire Stations were dispatched to the scene.

He noted however, that when water was used up in the fire fight the units had to source water from Green Island, as none was available in Lucea.

Meantime, he said a firefighter who received electrical shocks while battling the blaze has been discharged from hospital. 

He added that the estimate of damage and cause of the fire are to be determined. 

And some vendors at the Market in Lucea Hanover, say they suffered losses of up to 4 million dollars after fire gutted the facility, this morning.

Twenty-eight (28) shops were affected, 23 were destroyed, and 5 were damaged.

One vendor, Karen Kelly who operated a restaurant at the market told Irie FM News that she stocked up on goods yesterday to prepare for the regular weekend activities.

She said she lost everything, including refrigerators, utensils and food items to the fire.

Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government and Community Development  Desmond Mckenzie  has assured the affected vendors that every effort will be made to restore the market as they recover from this incident.

He said while investigations continue, the process of assessing structural damage will begin immediately, so that an even better physical environment for vendors and shoppers will replace what was lost.

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