A section of the Ocho Rios Market was destroyed by fire on Sunday.

Councillor of the Exchange Divison Ian Isaac said some 10 vendors were affected.

“The damage includes shops and stalls but we don’t know directly yet who but we will be in touch with them (on Monday). It’s devastating, a lot of ground provisions has been damaged but we are grateful nonetheless that other shops and stalls were not affected,” said Isaac.

The Observer understands that the fire started sometime after 4:00 pm. According to Mayor of St Ann’s Bay, Michael Belnavis, the fire was triggered by electrical issues.

Charred ground provisions at the Ocho Rios Market after a section of the facility was destroyed by fire on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

“We are devastated that so many people lost their personal belongings especially on a Sunday afternoon. It is heart rending,” he said.

“This is the worse I’ve seen ever, it means that we have to do some do some investigation, then clean and give some assistance to the vendors who has lost everything,“ Belnavis added.

Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie and other officials are expected to do a walk-through of the area on Monday.