‘Devastated and sad’: Christmas Day fire forces Charlottetown market closure

A Christmas Day fire at the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market has caused significant damage to the building and put dozens of vendors’ livelihoods on the line.

A Christmas Day fire at the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market has caused significant damage to the building, shuttering its doors and putting dozens of vendors’ livelihoods on the line.

In a statement posted to Facebook, the Charlottetown Fire Department said crews were called to a structure fire shortly after 3 a.m. on Dec. 25, and a total of six trucks and more than 40 firefighters rushed to the scene. The fire was brought under control within about three hours and there were no injuries.

“There’s a lot of stress with bills and with just trying to keep the lights on,” said farmer and vendor Travis Cummiskey, the market co-op’s board president. “We don’t know how long we’re going to be out, or how long it’s going to be before we can pivot.”

According to Cummiskey, more than 60 vendors operate out of the market year-round, with additional seasonal vendors. For many, it’s their primary source of income and a closure means a major hit.

Not only does it remove the main venue where many sell their products, but also raises questions about where to store inventory. Cummiskey is a hog farmer whose business includes selling sausages and pork, and he said he usually stores those products at the market.

“What are we going to do? That’s the same stress that all the other vendors are looking at,” he said.

Owners at El Sabor de Mexico, another vendor, told CTV News in a statement: “It’s a difficult time right now. We are very devastated and sad.”

Organizers say they are looking for a temporary space to operate as the situation evolves.

Parry Aftab, managing director of P.E.I. Food Strong, said local groups are already working on ways to help vendors keep selling, including online ordering and pop-up options through other markets.

“Food is a love language here on P.E.I., and we are all behind the vendors. We know them,” she said.

A GoFundMe has also been set up to support vendors affected by the fire.

John Bell, vice-president of the Charlottetown Professional Firefighters’ Association, said he’s thinking about the vendors, staff and community impacted by the fire.

“Especially on such a close to home kind of day, like Christmas, it’s never good to get a call like that,” he said.

Bell also credited the first responders who answered the call.

“It’s dark, you’re waiting to see what Santa brought ... and you’re leaving your spouse, your kids and your family,” he said.

Investigators are now working to determine the cause.