PORT ANTONIO, Portland — Two business places at Market Square in Port Antonio were destroyed and another three extensively damaged by fire Wednesday night, leaving losses estimated at $18 million.

The fire, which started at about 8:45 pm was eventually brought under control just before midnight.

A&E Pharmacy and a storeroom, located upstairs, were completely destroyed by the fire. An early estimate is that goods amounting to $5 million went up in flames. The Pharmacy operators said they had a lot of goods for Mother’s Day.

Assistant Superintendent Preston Miller of the Port Antonio fire service said they were hampered by the large crowd and the lack of water in the hydrant on William Street, near Market Square.

“When we came here the fire was well, well advanced and we concentrated on the adjacent buildings and saved those, with help from the Rapid Response team,” said Miller.

One firefighter, Acting Corporal Ann Marie Roper, said she was affected by smoke inhalation and steam burns.

“It was really rough, I got injured on my left foot below the knee … scars to my face and right hand. This is my biggest challenge since I have been here and I will fight on,” she said.

A taxi operator, who said he and about five other men were in the town square when the fire started, told the Observer, “We just see a little fire out de so and black smoke a come out … and two taximen drove out same time to call the fire brigade. When the fire truck come them come with little water and start fight the fire.”

A rastafarian, Patrick Henderson, who was also in the area at the time and assisted the firemen, said: “We tried to see what caused the fire, but we really couldn’t see because the grill was closed up. We got a cellular phone and called the fire brigade. When they came we tried to do our best to save the city.”

Michael Roper, owner of Roper’s Mini Sweets & Chips, which was among those damaged, said: “The loss is about $800,000-$900,000. I just received two truckloads of goods two days ago.” Roper said he had been operating in the town for six years, but his business was not insured.

Another affected businessman, Gregory Powell, operator of Nix Nax & Snacks, for about 10 years, was mainly affected by water damage and looters. “We lost some things from the haberdashery store and we saved some of the things, with help from members of the community and church members, for which we are grateful,” he said.

In the meanwhile, Clifford Nugent, operator of Fresh Start, snack shop, said: “Some things were stolen but we were able to take out some things before the water came in.”

He said they managed to save the refrigerator, drinks and biscuits. He has been operating the business there for four years.