A devastating fire that destroyed six restaurants at Arawak Cay on Sunday has reignited long-standing frustrations among vendors and highlighted systemic issues at Nassau’s iconic Fish Fry. The blaze has brought to the forefront concerns over cramped wooden structures, inadequate oversight, and years of stalled reforms. Vince ‘Curly’ McDonald, owner of Curly’s Restaurant & Bar, described the incident as a wake-up call, urging stakeholders to “reflect and refocus” on the future of the strip. He criticized the current setup as unsustainable, citing overcrowding, lack of fire safety protocols, and the inability to secure insurance for the wooden buildings. McDonald emphasized the need for a strong oversight committee comprising vendors and policymakers to enforce standards and drive meaningful change. He also dismissed the Arawak Cay Conch, Fish, Vegetable and Food Vendors Association as ineffective, claiming little progress has been made over the years. Rodney Russell, president of the ACVA, shifted focus to the immediate hardships faced by over 60 individuals affected by the fire, particularly as the Christmas season approaches. While acknowledging that the buildings met Ministry of Works standards when constructed, Russell admitted enforcement has weakened over time. He attributed the Fish Fry’s decline to nepotism and favoritism, accusing some of bypassing regulations to erect structures. Despite the close proximity of the wooden buildings, Russell maintained that the fire was an accident unrelated to building codes. The incident has underscored the urgent need for comprehensive reform to ensure the safety and sustainability of Arawak Cay’s vibrant culinary hub.
‘Curly’ says Arawak Cay fire forces vendors and officials to ‘reflect and refocus’ on the future
