A fire at a section of the Linstead Market in St. Catherine destroyed the stalls of at least 20 vendors early this morning.

Irie FM News understands that the fire began some time after 4 a-m.

Units from the Jamaica Fire Brigade responded to the blaze and firefighters were able to prevent it from spreading to the entire market facility.

Councillor for the Linstead Division Herbert Garriques told Irie FM News that the fire seems to have been started deliberately.

Mr. Garriques praised the fire brigade for its quick response while expressing hope that the parish council will be able to assist the vendors to replace the goods lost.

The fire at the Linstead Market comes days after a major blaze destroyed sections of three buildings, including the Musgrave Market, in Port Antonio, Portland.

Approximately 80 percent of that market was gutted by the fire, impacting 170 registered vendors.

Meantime, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has described the setting of the fire at the Linstead Market, as a cause for concern.

Speaking at the National Disaster Risk Management Council meeting this morning, he noted that the markets are a source of livelihood for several people.

And Mr. McKenzie has indicated that 10 million dollars will be made available to the Portland Municipal Corporation to assist vendors impacted by the Musgrave Market fire in Portland on Sunday.