JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The area destroyed in Monday night’s fire at a local flea market is now condemned.
Sixty vendors lost their units in the fire at the Pecan Park Road Flea and Famers' Market.
Despite all the damage, the management for the flea market says they hope to be open this upcoming weekend.
But before that can happen, management said two major things need to be done. First, the condemned area needs to be blocked off, and second, power needs to be restored to the market.
On Wednesday, vendor Rafael Ramouneih visited the market and tried to see what's left of where his family sold linen. He said despite losing thousands of dollars in the fire, he can't wait for the market to reopen.
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"I will stay. Yes! As a matter fact, I just spoke to management and told them to switch me to another unit until it's fixed," Ramouneih said.
But before Ramouneih can sell his linen again, the destroyed area, which is known as "Row B," has to be blocked off. It's now a shell of what it once was and has been condemned. On Wednesday, Action News was told by the market's management that it will be surrounded by over 1,000 feet of fence line.
"They make you feel better. They have a plan," Ramouneih said.
Power to the market also needs to be fixed. Action News was told no electricity may be turned on to any part of the flea market until a contractor pulls a permit, something city code enforcement is requiring and they are flagging JEA.
Vendors of the destroyed row still haven't had a chance to get an up close look at what they lost. The flea management said that Thursday, they will escort vendors into the market and let them look from a safe distance.
The Fire Marshal has ruled out arson as a possible cause of the fire.
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