Massive Fire Rips Through Mogadishu’s Bakara Market

Mogadishu (WDN) – A massive fire tore through a section of Bakara Market, Somalia’s largest commercial hub, early Tuesday morning, destroying multiple businesses and causing extensive property damage before emergency crews finally brought the blaze under control after several hours.

The fire erupted in the Abdalla Shideeye section of the sprawling market, sending towering flames and thick columns of black smoke into the sky, visible from several parts of the capital.

As the blaze spread rapidly through closely packed shops, hundreds of people—including traders, customers, business owners, and local residents—rushed to the scene in desperate attempts to salvage merchandise and contain the fire before it engulfed additional buildings.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos as merchants scrambled to rescue whatever goods they could, while others watched helplessly as years of investment were consumed by the flames.