Multimillion-dollar fire destroys MoBay store

WESTERN BUREAU:

A MONTEGO Bay-based Chinese business operator, who was already bracing for a significant COVID-19 economic fallout, has got an unexpected, heavier blow with a major ravaging his store on Barnett Street in the Second City.

The businessman, who operates the popular Nana’s Bargain Centre, which specialises in a variety of household items and clothing, was alerted to the fire shortly before 8 p.m. on Sunday. When he got there, he saw the building engulfed and firefighters battling the blaze.

“This is a major blow. Without going through the inventory, I can tell that, ultimately, the losses are going to run into millions of dollars,” said an associate of the businessman, who was not able to say whether it was insured. “When you factor in the losses resulting from the COVID-19 and now this fire, it is really a double blow.”

The St James Fire Department reported that it received a call about the blaze at approximately 7:45 p.m. and dispatched three units to the location. They quickly got to work to tackle the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjoining buildings.

“It was quite a scary sight,” said one taxi operator. “The firemen must be given credit for what they did to prevent it from spreading.”

The People’s National Party’s (PNP) caretaker for Central St James, Andre Hylton, who was among the few onlookers at the location, said it was another devastating blow to commerce in the city.

“It is not a good night for the business people on Barnett Street,” said Hylton in a video he recorded with the fire raging behind him. “Considering the COVID-19 and what has been happening ... , business has dropped off dramatically and now we have a store being burnt down. It’s going to be hard.”