A massive fire at the Old Shoes Market in Montego Bay yesterday morning is estimated to have resulted in more than $75 million in damage.

It is estimated that at least 30 shops went up in flames at the market that is located at Harbour Street in Montego Bay.

While some shop operators were agonising about their losses, some of the other vendors, whose shops weren't affected by the fire, also lost millions of dollars worth of goods at the hands of looters, who went on a robbery spree.

While it is being rumoured that a lit candle may have caused the fire, acting deputy superintendent for the St James Fire Department, Vincent Allen, could not confirm this.

"The market comprised of mostly wooden structure and ply board, so it was completely burned out, leaving only zincs. This makes it more difficult to do our investigations, but we are still trying to determine the cause of the fire," he told THE STAR.

He noted that they received the call at approximately 2:15 a.m. and responded with 20 firefighters and four units - three from Free Port station and one from Iron Shore station. He also said the estimated risk for the area was about $500 million dollars, and the estimated damage done was about $75 million.

Earlier this week, members of the Jamaica Public Service, along with the St James police, went on an operation in the market, during which several illegal connections were removed, leaving the market in total darkness.

Since news broke of the fire, Member of Parliament Lloyd B Smith, in whose Central Constituency the market is located, said he will be seeking help to put on a charity show to assist vendors who lost goods in the fire.