The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net STRAW vendors are estimating thousands of dollars in losses after an early Friday fire destroyed their stalls at the temporary facilities on Bay Street. The fire, which is believed to have begun around 3am on Friday, left over 40 vendors displaced. The fire also destroyed the historic Pompey Museum, SunTime and Da Balcony Night Club. Straw vendor, Joy Drakes told Tribune Business: "When I got out here, all I could see was a lot of smoke and the huge blaze. All I could think then was that I lost everything." Judy Simon told Tribune Business: "This is the second time we had a fire, and this is the second time I lost everything that I have. "I really don't know what I'm going to do now. I don't know what to say. I just got to go one day at a time." In 2001, the original Straw Market was burnt to the ground, forcing hundreds of vendors to seek refuge in a makeshift tent not far from the original site. The aftermath of the fire's destruction caused a portion of West Bay Street to be blocked off for several hours. The tent suffered significant damaged after Hurricane Irene, forcing many vendors to set up shop on Prince George Wharf. Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham noted on Friday that the new Straw Market is expected to be open by Christmas. "The fire will disadvantage a number of persons, and for that I wish to express my regret. It will also end up costing the public money and affect businesses, which is regrettable." The Prime Minister said, however, that the fire presented an opportunity for redevelopment of the block. Back in Februar,y another fire on the merchant strip destroyed the Betty K Building property and a block of Bay Street, resulting in millions of dollars in damages.