Firefighters extinguish market blaze in Kut to avert commercial disaster

WASIT— Firefighters in Wasit’s Kut successfully contained a large fire that erupted in the city’s bustling market on Sunday evening, preventing its spread to dozens of adjacent shops, officials said.

The blaze ignited around 4:30 p.m. in a densely packed commercial area. A civil defense source told 964media that four firefighting teams, supported by municipal and utility services, battled the flames for over an hour until the fire was brought under control.

“Initial information suggests the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit,” the source said, adding that no casualties were reported.

Hamza Al-Zargani, director of Kut Municipality, remarked, “We avoided a major fire that could have caused a commercial disaster in the city and taken many lives, thanks to the quick response.” He noted that poor electrical wiring and unregulated construction in the market area had contributed to the fire risks.

Al-Zargani added, “In the coming days, we will launch a major campaign to reorganize the market area in cooperation with the police and civil defense, in preparation for summer.”

+2