Faulty electrical wiring cited
Fire destroys nine shops in Sulaymaniyah market
SULAYMANIYAH — A large fire tore through the Ashaba Spi Market in Sulaymaniyah late Monday, destroying nine of the market’s 22 shops and causing significant financial losses. The blaze, which erupted around midnight, is believed to have been caused by faulty electrical wiring.
The market, known for its selection of women’s and children’s clothing, cosmetics, perfumes, and traditional Kurdish footwear (klash), sustained heavy damage, particularly to shops displaying merchandise outside their doors.
“The [market] owner repeatedly asked us to keep merchandise inside our stores, but goods often ended up back outside after a day,” said shop owner Hasan Ali.
Tahir Mohammed, another shopkeeper, told 964media his losses totaled 50 million Iraqi dinars ($38,000). According to him, the highly flammable nature of cosmetics and perfumes intensified the fire and extended its duration. Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly two hours before gaining control.
The incident echoes a recent fire at Erbil’s Langa market, where 41 shops were destroyed and another five to ten suffered smoke damage. Shopkeepers there also cited the presence of flammable materials and quick-burning substances as contributing factors to the fire.
Fire engulfs Erbil's Langa Market for second time in two months
