Fire ravages Erbil auto accessories complex, taking eight hours to contain

ERBIL — A fire that broke out at an auto accessories market on 60 Meter Street in Erbil was contained after nearly eight hours of intense firefighting efforts. While no casualties were reported, the fire caused extensive damage to the market.

Shakhawan Jaf, a spokesperson for the Erbil Civil Defense, told 964 Media, “The fire started around 10 p.m. on Monday and was fully contained by this morning after nearly seven hours.”

Alan Hama Amin, a reporter for 964 Media, noted that the fire primarily affected the second and third floors of the building. “The fire did not reach the first floor, which houses several shops,” he said. “However, due to the severity of the blaze, some shopkeepers in the surrounding area moved their belongings to safety.”

Scenes from the night showed locals helping shopkeepers salvage stock, throwing them into pick-up trucks.

The cause of the fire and the exact number of shops affected are still under investigation, according to the Erbil Civil Defense spokesperson.

On the same night, a fire at the Parvez Khan border crossing in Sulaymaniyah’s Garmian independent administration resulted in 17 injuries and one fatality, with 14 fuel tankers completely destroyed. The Parvez Khan border crossing is a crucial trade route between Iraq and Iran, located near the town of Qasr-e Shirin in Iran and the Kalar district in the Kurdistan Region.

On Aug. 13, a fire broke out at the historic Dalalkhan market in Erbil, causing significant damage to at least two shops.

These incidents are 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.