KUAJOK – Traders in Gogrial West County of Warrap State are counting heavy losses after a massive fire outbreak destroyed hundreds of shops over the weekend, leaving many businesses worth nearly SSP 80 million in ruins.
According to local authorities, the fire broke out at around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday while residents were beginning their day. The blaze rapidly spread through the market, destroying both grass-thatched and iron-sheet shops before it could be contained.
Speaking to local media Mayardit FM in Turalei, Twic County, Police Inspector Brigadier Garang Lual, who is based in Gogrial Town, described the incident as devastating.
“What happened is that the grass-thatched shops, including those roofed with iron sheets, were brought down by the fire which occurred around 4:00 a.m.,” Lual said.
Authorities estimate that 217 shops were destroyed, with goods worth approximately 79 million South Sudanese pounds lost in the inferno.
Among the items destroyed were 10 grain-grinding mills, 30 bicycles, and other merchandise belonging to local traders who rely on the market for their livelihoods.
Lual said local authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and have formed a committee to assess the damage and follow up on the losses incurred by traders.
He urged affected business owners to remain calm as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, another market fire over the weekend destroyed shops at Udhum Market, leaving traders shocked.
Local police inspector Colonel Atak Wol Kiir said the fire broke out at around 11:00 p.m., when most residents were asleep.
“People were sleeping when the fire started in one shop and eventually spread to other shops,” Kiir said, noting that many traders were away from their stalls when the blaze erupted.
Market fires have become a recurring concern in parts of Northern Bahr el Ghazal. Last year, Udhum Market was also destroyed by fire, while Wad-Will Market was burned down just last week in another incident linked to a fire outbreak.
Residents have attributed some of the incidents to poor handling of fire during the dry season, while others blame individuals who allegedly start fires accidentally after consuming alcohol.
Local officials have urged residents and traders to exercise caution when handling fire, warning that fire-fighting equipment remains scarce in many rural towns, making markets particularly vulnerable during the dry season.
