Some cry foul
Erbil shopkeepers divided over causes of market fires
ERBIL — Shopkeepers in Erbil’s Langa Market are offering different perspectives on the causes of the recent fires that have significantly impacted the market.
On Feb. 27, a massive fire broke out in the market, destroying 185 of the 2,400 shops and causing damages exceeding 6 billion Iraqi dinars ($4.6 million).
Following this, on April 8, a second large fire swept through the Langa Market, as reported by Erbil’s Civil Defense, engulfing 41 shops, with an additional five to ten shops suffering damage due to smoke exposure.
Speaking to 964media, one shopkeeper highlighted the issues of congestion and neglect within the market as primary concerns. “The market is overcrowded and neglected, and the government has forgotten to regulate it. I don’t know the exact cause, but if the situation remains as is, it could catch fire again within a month. We want the market to be organized,” he said.
To improve organization, he suggested that the government could implement regulations preventing shopkeepers from displaying their goods outside their shops, arguing that merchandise should be kept inside the shops only.
Another shopkeeper identified the behavior of shopkeepers themselves as a significant issue, advocating for the prohibition of flammable materials and quick-burning substances around the shops.
The practice of some shopkeepers covering their goods with cloth to protect them was mentioned as a potential factor contributing to the fires. However, displaying goods outside the shops is seen as a normal practice in this popular market, as another shopkeeper noted, adding that similar practices are observed in neighboring markets. “Once the condition of the buildings was worse, but such fire incidents did not occur,” he added.
During a press conference held Monday, Erbil Gov. Omid Khoshnaw claimed that the cause of the fire is “encroachment and negligence” by shop owners.
“Investigations have commenced, and assessments of the damages are being conducted. After the Eid holidays, a reorganization of the market will take place,” Khoshnaw said.
Others pointed to the electrical system and the tables in front of the shops as additional contributing factors.
Speculating on the cause, another shopkeeper suggested foul play: “There is a hand behind this fire. It’s said the fire broke out in three different places; how does an electrical short-circuit happen in three spots simultaneously? It extinguished in two places but got out of control in the third.”
In response to inquiries about the speculation of a deliberate act behind the fires, Karwan Mirawdali, the spokesperson for Erbil’s Civil Defense, stated, “We, as the Erbil Civil Defense, have formed a high-level technical committee, including three officers, to investigate the incidents. Our immediate action post-fire was to record the number of shops affected and the extent of the damages. However, the publication of the report will be postponed until after Eid. This report will detail the material damages and identify the cause of the fire.”
Mirawdali acknowledged public speculation and rumors, emphasizing the community’s right to express their opinions. “As seen in this and previous incidents, such rumors are common. We will present our findings after Eid, based on scientific methods, evidence, and documents at our disposal, to inform the public and the media,” he said.
He stressed that the Civil Defense’s stance and findings will rely on the forthcoming report and observations. “The people are free to speculate, whether on social media or in the streets and among shop owners themselves. Ultimately, our report will clarify the situation. Until then, we have not announced anything. People are free to say what they think, but we will inform you based on our investigations,” he added.