As vendors begin to pick up the pieces from Sunday’s devastating fire at the Ocho Rios market in St Ann, one longtime vendor who was affected, is calling for urgent improvements to the market’s infrastructure. 

Ann Marie James, who has been selling at the market for 30 years, lost millions of dollars worth of goods in the blaze and says the lack of proper structures and water contributed to the widespread damage.

In an emotional interview this morning with Irie FM News, Ms. James said, the total loss amounts to millions of dollars, including food and clothing items she  worked tirelessly to sell.

She explained that she had been using a tarpaulin to cover her stall, but stressed the need for sturdier, permanent structures to support vendors and their businesses.

Ms. James believes  if there had been a reliable water source, the fire might not have spread so rapidly, potentially saving the  stalls from destruction.

Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie is urging vendors to be patient with the authorities as they conduct the necessary assessments.

He says the response will take time.