Shekhalla and Nishtiman market areas
Two separate fires break out in Erbil marketplaces
ERBIL — Two separate fires were reported in market areas of Erbil late on Tuesday. Three shops in the Shekhalla market and several tables and stalls in front of the Nishtiman market arena were engulfed in flames.
The first fire broke out shortly after 8 p.m. in the Shekhalla market, and was controlled by Erbil’s civil defense teams within an hour. Three shops were completely destroyed.
Of the shops affected, one was a clothing store and warehouse where losses are reported to be around $40,000. The two other shops also suffered damage, although the exact extent was not yet clear.
Siraj Tayfur, spokesperson for Erbil Civil Defense, informed 964media, “We were able to quickly control the fire, but we currently have no information regarding the causes or the extent of the damage.” He added that an investigation committee would produce a report with findings.
A shop owner, speaking to 964media, expressed ongoing concerns about safety, sharing that fires have broken out near his shop several times before, but since they occurred during the day, vendors were able to control them quickly. “We are on edge,” he said, fearing another fire might erupt at night.
He also urged authorities to address the issue of tables set up in front of shops, which he believes contribute to fire risk and pose a danger to shop owners.
Tuesday’s incident marked the second fire in a week in the Shekhalla market area. On April 18, another fire damaged dozens of winter clothes in a nearby building, resulting in an estimated loss of $10,000.
Tuesday’s second blaze occurred around 11:30 p.m. at the Nishtiman market arena, resulting in damage to over 15 vendor tables and stalls primarily selling clothing.
The cause of the fire and full extent of the damage remain unknown.
One vendor, whose table was partially affected by the fire, expressed relief to 964media, saying, “My table was slightly burnt, but thankfully, the damage wasn’t severe.”
Another vendor, however, reported losses of over $10,000 in goods, with no items salvaged from the fire
By 1:05 a.m., Erbil’s civil defense announced that the fire was nearing full containment.
No injuries were reported in either fire.