Durrant Pate/Contributor

The management of Ammars clothing store at 77 King Street in downtown Kingston has been counting its losses today from yesterday’s fire, which razed the longstanding, iconic business establishment on the Princess Royal Building.

The adjoining Kingston Bookshop, owned and operated by Custos of Kingston and Steadman Fuller, were impacted by smoke damage but spared the raging fire.

The blaze was fought by 37 fire personnel, dispatched to the scene shortly after 10:00 yesterday morning. 

Today, the damage was more evident to both the building and the millions of dollars in goods and inventory inside. Cleaning up operations have commenced, but no word on the value of the damage, as an assessment is now underway. 

But what is known is that it will cost tens of millions of dollars to recover and bring back the establishment, a staple and household business in downtown Kingston, particularly King Street, well known for its iconic establishments along the bustling thoroughfare. 

The origin of the blaze is unknown, but firefighters believe it started at the back of the building on Temple Lane and engulfed the front of the business on King Street. Management says they plan to reassign as much of the affected staff to other store locations.