Fire destroys Cap-Haitien Cluny Market, leaving vendors scrambling to recover what’s left

CAP-HAÏTIEN — Hours after a hearth tore by way of the historic indoor market Cluny Market in downtown Cap-Haïtien at night time on Jan.24, males climbed over charred beams and damaged concrete, digging by way of the particles for meals and items that may nonetheless be saved. Distributors stood close by, inspecting luggage pulled from the wreckage, dismissing smoke stains and deciding whether or not what remained might nonetheless be bought.

For a lot of, it was a final try and get better one thing—something—from what had been their livelihood.

A protracted-time vendor, pleasant referred to as ‘ManTi Lime’, had 80 luggage of black beans, value about $2,000, saved contained in the market earlier than the fireplace. As 5 males labored to retrieve what they might for her, some luggage emerged scorched on prime, blackened by smoke and warmth. Different retailers examined them and stated the beans inside have been nonetheless usable. ‘Man Ti Lime’ disagreed.

“These gained’t do something for me,” she stated, her fingers shaking as she held her telephone. “I had 80 luggage—2,000 {dollars}. These luggage gained’t do something for me; we don’t have a authorities.”

The reason for the fireplace has not been decided as of Sunday. No deaths or accidents have been reported.

About 30 storages and lots of of small outlets have been destroyed, in keeping with a press release from the city corridor.

“Cap-Haitien’s City Corridor expresses its solidarity with the retailers, distributors, workers and people affected by this tragedy that affected an emblematic place for the financial, social and historic lifetime of the town,” the city corridor said.

Cluny Market, renovated in July 2024, housed lots of of distributors promoting meals and family items. By morning, most of that house has been destroyed. Residents stated the fireplace started round 10:30 p.m. Retailers tried to extinguish the fireplace by throwing buckets of water whereas others scrambled to select up their items. 

Firefighters arrived hours after the blaze started, residents stated. After they left, small fires have been nonetheless burning on the bottom. Folks poured water over scorching spots, not solely to stop flare-ups, however to dig deeper into the particles for items. 

As individuals picked by way of the ruins, tensions rose. Some residents questioned whether or not meals pulled from the particles was fit for human consumption.

“I don’t need these beans,” Jodelin Auguste, a 19-year-old three-wheel taxi-moto driver, stated. “The house owners of these beans don’t have any widespread sense. However I’m not blissful as a result of the market caught on hearth. The distributors misplaced lots of stuff. And plenty of in all probability borrowed cash to purchase them.”