JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Just five days after a fire tore through one-third of the Pecan Park Flea Market, vendors were able to open back up Saturday morning in the unaffected area.
The state fire marshal's office has said it does not consider the fire suspicious, and thinks that the fire started in the kitchen area.
Many people, both vendors and customers, stopped by Row B on Saturday. Most just shook their heads at the ruins of what was dozens of people's only source of income. They are hopeful that Saturday is the first step in starting over.
"It's heartbreaking. I walk by their booths. This is how they make their living. Everything is gone, fire is devastating. I really feel bad for those people," said Patty Trantham, a vendor at the market.
As vendors raised their doors, it was business as usual, or at least as close to that as it could be, knowing that some friends were not as lucky.
The manager of the flea market says it took a last-minute push from City Councilman Ray Holt and the city's electrical inspector Harold Davis, along with people from Colonial Electric and American Electric and all of the Pecan Park staff to make the opening possible.
"Some people that are out here, they might not make a lot of money, they will be out here either way. It's just in their blood. Many have been out here since the park opened, and it's just their way of life," said John Heidecker, general manager of the flea manager.
Patty Trantham sells all sorts of leather goods at the flea market. Her booth was not damaged by the fire, but she says she will do what it takes to support those that were, because it is a very close knit community.
"That's really all there is in life is that we take care of each other. Money isn't everything, it really isn't. It makes you step back and look at the positive things and the blessings in your life, not just making a buck," said Trantham.
One of the flea markets owners says just like the last fire, this will not keep them down.
"We're not done. We weren't done last time. We won't be done this time. We are going to get it rebuilt. We are already reopened, we just want everybody to know that so they continue to come out here," said Jim Kern, managing owner.