Hargeisa: Huge fire destroys market in Somali breakaway region

Waheen market, residence to an estimated 2,000 outlets and stalls, was gutted by the fireplace which began on Friday night.

An enormous hearth tore by the principle market within the metropolis of Hargeisa in northern Somalia in a single day, injuring about two dozen folks and destroying a whole lot of companies, officers mentioned on Saturday.

Photos posted on social media confirmed flames and large billowing clouds of smoke within the night time sky over the town, the capital of the breakaway area of Somaliland.

The reason for the blaze that gutted the sprawling Waheen market – the lifeblood of the town and residential to an estimated 2,000 outlets and stalls – is just not but recognized.

Officers mentioned it began on Friday night however was largely introduced beneath management by daybreak on Saturday, though some small areas have been nonetheless burning.

“The city has by no means witnessed such an enormous calamity,” Hargeisa’s Mayor Abdikarim Ahmed Moge instructed reporters on the scene.

“This place was the financial centre of Hargeisa and though the firefighters did their greatest to comprise the fireplace, the market is destroyed.”

He mentioned the blaze may have been introduced beneath management earlier than inflicting such in depth injury however that the firefighters’ efforts have been hampered by entry issues.

The huge market is a crowded warren of retailers and makeshift stalls, with no correct streets, solely slender pathways.

Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi mentioned throughout a go to to Waheen that about 28 folks, 9 of them girls, have been injured, however that no lack of life had been reported to date.

He mentioned the federal government could be releasing $1m to assist with the emergency response to the catastrophe.

Hargeisa Chamber of Commerce chairman Jamal Aideed mentioned the lack of the market was immense because it accounted for 40 to 50 p.c of the town’s economic system.

“I've misplaced all the things tonight, this hearth was the largest I've ever seen in my life,” mentioned market dealer Bashi Ali.

“I had a number of companies out there and all of them burned to ashes. All we are able to be taught from this catastrophe is to plan the market nicely,” he added.