A devastating fire has destroyed Dutchies Jerk Joint, a beloved family-run food truck cherished for its authentic Jamaican cuisine and warm community presence. The blaze broke out at around 1 a.m. on Monday, 22 April, in Queens Square, outside the Jubilee pub, reducing the truck to charred remains and shattering the dreams of owners Kam, Carly, and their young son, Blaize.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and local authorities have yet to determine if it was accidental or deliberate. However, efforts to identify what happened have been hampered by a critical setback: the CCTV system operated by the pub’s new management was reportedly switched off during the time of the incident. The lack of footage has raised questions and added further heartbreak to an already devastating situation.

“We poured our lives into this truck,” said the family in an emotional social media post. “It was our dream, our livelihood, and our legacy for Blaize. Now it’s gone.”

Community Shock and Support

News of the fire has rippled through Hemel Hempstead, with residents expressing shock, anger, and overwhelming support. “Heartbreaking to hear about Dutchies. That truck was a gem in Queens Square,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). Another added, “Dutchies was more than food—it was family.”

The family’s heartfelt appeal for information has been shared more than 200 times on Facebook, prompting an outpouring of sympathy and solidarity from customers and locals alike. “We’re begging anyone with any information to please help us find who did this,” they wrote, urging anyone who may have seen suspicious activity near Queens Square around the time of the fire to come forward.

A Missing Piece: The CCTV Controversy

The timing of the CCTV outage has frustrated both the family and investigators. A 2024 report by the UK Security Industry Authority revealed that 85% of urban businesses rely on CCTV to prevent and solve crimes, making this absence a significant loss in the case.

Police have confirmed that they are treating the investigation with urgency and are appealing to the public for any eyewitness accounts, dashcam footage, or details that might aid in identifying how the fire started.

Dutchies: More Than Just a Food Truck

Since its launch in 2022, Dutchies Jerk Joint quickly became a culinary fixture in Hemel Hempstead, known for its fiery jerk chicken, generous portions, and the unmistakable hospitality of its owners. For Kam, Carly, and Blaize, Dutchies was more than a business—it was a family dream, built with love and fuelled by community support.

“This isn’t just a loss for us,” Carly said through tears. “It’s a loss for every customer who shared a laugh, a story, or a meal with us.”

The National Federation of Independent Business states that 60% of small businesses impacted by disaster depend on community help to recover—a figure that Dutchies is now hoping will reflect their own journey forward.

How You Can Help

Anyone with information about the fire is urged to contact Hertfordshire Police on 101 or reach out anonymously via Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111. Community members are also encouraged to share Dutchies’ appeal on social media to help generate leads.

As the investigation continues, Queens Square stands united in grief and determination. Locals have vowed to help the family rebuild, with some suggesting crowdfunding efforts to get Dutchies back on the road.

For now, a community mourns the loss of a truck that served more than just food—it served heart, heritage, and hope.