Latest in spate of fires
Fire destroys two shops in Erbil’s Industrial area
ERBIL — A fire broke out in two major shops in the southern industrial area of Erbil, causing damage estimated at $100,000, according to Erbil Civil Defense.
The fire started in a mechanic’s garage due to a gas leak and then spread to an adjacent garage, burning both shops completely.
Daham Omar, the owner of one of the shops, told 964media that the fire was ignited by a small gas cylinder used for cooking. “I was not there at the time, and I have incurred losses between $110,000 and $120,000,” he stated.
Shakhawan Saeed, an Erbil Civil Defense spokesperson, told 964media that the fire was brought under control by five firefighting teams in less than half an hour. “There were no casualties, but the material damage is significant,” Saeed said, estimating the losses at around $100,000.
The Southern Industrial Area is one of the four main industrial zones in Erbil, located approximately five kilometers from the city center. This area hosts various businesses, including mechanics, car dealerships, and manufacturing facilities. It is strategically positioned close to significant landmarks such as the Erbil Citadel and the Qaysari Bazaar.
This incident is part of a series of fires that have occurred in Erbil’s industrial and market areas recently. In the first four months of 2024, a total of 220 fires were reported in Erbil province. These incidents have included market fires and have resulted in significant financial damages for residents.
In May 2024, a huge fire destroyed much of the historic Qaysari Bazaar in Erbil, affecting 227 shops and injuring 132 people. Additionally, other markets such as the Bala Market and the Sheikh Allah Market have experienced multiple fires in recent months, raising concerns among shopkeepers about the causes and preventive measures undertaken by authorities.
The Kurdistan Regional Government says it has been working on improving industrial safety measures and recently launched the first Erbil Industrial Development Forum in a bid to address these and other issues in the industrial sector.
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