Kurdistan
Erbil's Langa bazaar following the massive fire on April 8, 2024. Photo: Bilind T. Abdullah/Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw on Thursday said that authorities suspect arson in the recent Langa bazaar fire, adding that a committee has been formed to investigate the incident.
Around 50 shops were burned after large fire engulfed Erbil city’s famous Langa bazaar on Monday morning, marking the second time in less than two months that the bazaar has caught fire.
“We have our suspicions about the recent fire. The reasons behind the previous fires were clear, but an investigative committee has been formed to probe the recent incident and how it occurred,” Khoshnaw told reporters, adding that the results of the investigations will be released to the public once finalized.
The Erbil governor said that they “understand” the shopkeepers' concerns and will conduct an in-depth inspection of the security company in charge of the bazaar after Eid al-Fitr holidays.
It is the second time in less than two months that the famous bazaar has caught fire, after a massive blaze in late February cost shop owners millions of dollars in damage.
Fires are a constant concern in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq where safety standards are sub-par. Electrical faults and lack of basic safety measures are a major part of the problem.
A massive fire swept through central Duhok’s Chale bazaar last week, burning over 100 shops. The blaze was controlled several hours later.
Around 50 shops were burned after large fire engulfed Erbil city’s famous Langa bazaar on Monday morning, marking the second time in less than two months that the bazaar has caught fire.
“We have our suspicions about the recent fire. The reasons behind the previous fires were clear, but an investigative committee has been formed to probe the recent incident and how it occurred,” Khoshnaw told reporters, adding that the results of the investigations will be released to the public once finalized.
The Erbil governor said that they “understand” the shopkeepers' concerns and will conduct an in-depth inspection of the security company in charge of the bazaar after Eid al-Fitr holidays.
It is the second time in less than two months that the famous bazaar has caught fire, after a massive blaze in late February cost shop owners millions of dollars in damage.
Fires are a constant concern in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq where safety standards are sub-par. Electrical faults and lack of basic safety measures are a major part of the problem.
A massive fire swept through central Duhok’s Chale bazaar last week, burning over 100 shops. The blaze was controlled several hours later.
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