Fire Brought Under Control after Sweeping through Mogadishu’s Bakara Market

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Firefighters have brought under control a major blaze that tore through parts of Bakara Market, Mogadishu’s largest commercial centre, after an hours-long operation involving emergency responders, traders and private companies.

Officials at the scene said the fire was contained before it spread to other sections of the market, following a coordinated response by the Banadir Regional Fire and Rescue Service, local businesses and volunteers.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established, and authorities have opened an investigation while teams assess the extent of the damage.

The blaze destroyed several business premises and caused extensive property losses, although officials have not released an official estimate of the financial cost or confirmed whether there were any casualties.

Bakara Market is the commercial heart of the Somali capital, supplying goods to much of the country and providing livelihoods for thousands of traders. Fires at the market have occurred repeatedly over the years, often raising concerns over electrical safety, congested trading spaces and the limited availability of modern firefighting infrastructure.

The officials said a comprehensive damage assessment is underway and that further details will be released once the investigation into the cause of the fire is complete.