Fire damages shops at historic Dalalkhan Market in Erbil

ERBIL — A fire broke out early this morning at the historic Dalalkhan market in Erbil, causing significant damage to at least two shops. The blaze, which started around 7:30 AM, was swiftly addressed by civil defense teams.

Ahmed Shamzin, a reporter for 964Media, was at the scene and noted the rapid response of emergency teams. “The fire was contained and extinguished before it could spread further,” Shamzin reported, adding that thankfully, no casualties were reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with an electrical short circuit suspected initially.

The Dalalkhan market, known for its antique shops and specialty brewing equipment, is situated behind the city’s central park, near the historic Erbil Citadel. This area is a favored spot for both locals and tourists, making today’s incident particularly noteworthy.

This event is part of a troubling pattern of fires in Erbil’s bazaars. On April 8, a major fire devastated the Langa Bazaar’s textile and clothing section, resulting in millions of dollars in damages. A subsequent fire on May 5 at the Qaysari Bazaar destroyed over 200 shops.