FALMOUTH, Trelawny — A clothing and fabric outlet that has served generations of residents in Falmouth and surrounding communities was destroyed by fire Tuesday delivering a major setback to parents preparing for the upcoming back-to-school season.

The commercial complex, which housed three businesses — including the popular Miss Richie Store, an apparel and textile shop that has been a staple in Falmouth for decades — was engulfed in flames shortly after 10:00 am, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air and drawing scores of concerned residents to the scene.

The police maintained a strong presence as curious onlookers milled about in disbelief.

“It was only yesterday that I was saying I had to go to Miss Richie Store to buy uniform for my son, and look what mi come see now!” said one distraught bystander.

Firefighters battling a blaze in Falmouth on Tuesday. (Photo: Horace Hines)

A female firefighter chimed in: “This is right in the middle of back-to-school preparations.”

Residents scrambled to remove rolls of fabric from the burning building as firefighters battled to contain the raging inferno in the bar, a nightclub, and a nearby dwelling house.

An employee at the store was overheard telling a bystander that the fire started shortly after a stock of textile arrived in the morning.

Efforts to reach the operators of the store, who also operate the adjoining bar, proved futile.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Roland Walters on the scene of a massive fire in Falmouth on Tuesday. (Photo: Horace Hines)

Acting Assistant Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade Roland Walters said the Trelawny Fire Department received the emergency call at approximately 10:11 am, reporting a fire at a club on King Street.

“Upon arrival, we saw one section of the building engulfed in heavy flames. We immediately got into operation by deploying two medium jets to fight the fire. We also dispatched our water tender and sought assistance from St James,” Walters explained.

He said firefighters battled the blaze for approximately three hours before bringing it under control.

Walters noted that investigations are now underway to determine the cause of the fire. He also highlighted challenges firefighters faced due to the structure’s composition.

“It is to be noted that the type of structure here is of a Type Three nature, meaning it is an old Spanish wall board brick building, so the fire load was very, very heavy. It is highly flammable,” he said.

The firefighter explained that the presence of two bars, a restaurant, and a textile store significantly intensified the blaze.

“That meant the fire load would have been very, very heavy, which rendered this fire very active,” Walters added.

Buildings razed by fire in Falmouth on Tuesday. (Photo: Horace Hines)

He also revealed that two people have been left homeless as a result of the blaze, as their now-destroyed dwelling formed part of the club complex.

“We are comfortable now that there is no more risk to life nor property, and we will continue our investigations to determine the cause of the blaze,” Walters told reporters.

He stressed that it was still too early to establish the exact cause of the fire or assess the total extent of the losses.

“It is early days. We have active investigations taking place at this time. All we can say at this point is that the affected premises have been completely destroyed,” Walters said.