Home / Disasters and Accidents / Devastating Fire Engulfs Bujumbura's Jabe Market
Devastating Fire Engulfs Bujumbura's Jabe Market
22 Jun
Summary
- A massive fire destroyed a significant portion of Jabe market in Bujumbura.
- The blaze resulted in hundreds of millions in losses for vendors.
- Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, with the cause still under investigation.
A massive fire has caused extensive damage to the Jabe market in Bujumbura, a key commercial hub known for its wood and furniture vendors. The blaze, which started around 6 PM last night, consumed a large section of the market, leaving vendors facing losses estimated in the hundreds of millions. Many traders expressed deep despair, with some stating they couldn't salvage anything and are unsure how they will survive.
The firefighting efforts, involving the police and the Red Cross, continued until around 3 AM this morning. The origin of the fire is still under investigation, but speculation points to a nearby garage behind the Église Trinité Libre as a potential source that exacerbated the fire. The church itself also sustained damage.
The affected areas are primarily along 10th Street in Zone Bwiza and a section near the Église Vivante de Jabe. This incident follows a pattern of devastating market fires across Burundi, with similar events occurring at Kinama market last month and near Bujumbura City Market in January.
Aline Bigirimana, the mayor of Mukaza Commune, commended the swift response of emergency services but noted the intensity of the fire made it challenging to extinguish. She urged affected traders to remain patient and support each other as investigations proceed to determine the cause and prevent future occurrences.
