SPAULDING, Clarendon -Two fires in Spaulding, Clarendon which blazed within seven hours apart on the weekend, completely gutted a two-storey shopping plaza and an eleven apartment dwelling house, leaving millions in damage.

Some 85 employees are out of work and nine people are homeless.

The cause of the fires is not yet known but police theorise that a likely cause of the shopping plaza fire could be an electrical short circuit in the supermarket there.

Police say the first fire occurred about 3:30 pm on Saturday when fire was seen coming from the back of the eleven-apartment dwelling house which is near to Knox College, where nine tenants lived.

However, by the time the firefighters arrived on the scene the house was completely destroyed. Damage is estimated at $8 million.

About 10:30 pm Saturday, fire was seen coming from the back section of the supermarket situated on the mini shopping plaza along Main Street.

The fire at the plaza completely destroyed some 10 businesses including a cambio. Damage is estimated in the high millions.

Seven fire units from Christiana, Mandeville, May Pen along with a private water truck fought the five-hour fire which was brought under control at 3:30 am Sunday.

Meanwhile, member of parliament for North West Clarendon Michael Stern, said while he has already provided some degree of assistance for the displaced persons who lost their belongings, he will be seeking government's assistance for the small business entrepreneurs to help them to bear the loss.