Burundi President Consoles Victims After Devastating Fire at Ngozi Main Market
Bujumbura, Burundi — President Evariste Ndayishimiye has expressed deep sorrow and offered encouragement to those affected by a major fire that destroyed large parts of the central market in Ngozi on Thursday night.
In an official statement, the president said: “We are saddened by the fire at the market in Ngozi town, where citizens who work there lost their belongings. We strongly sympathize with those impacted by this disaster and urge them not to lose hope.”
According to reports, the blaze, which primarily affected the central section of the market, raged for approximately four hours before firefighters could respond.
Even then, arriving fire truck struggled to contain the intense flames due to limited capacity.
No fatalities were reported, though the full extent of the financial losses remains unknown.
This incident marks the latest in a troubling series of market fires across Burundi in 2026.
Just last month, in June, a similar fire struck the timber and building materials trading area near Jabe market in Bujumbura.
Earlier, the Kinama market—one of the largest in the capital—burned in early May, and in January, significant damage occurred outside Bujumbura’s City Market (known locally as Kwa Siyoni).
Social media users in Burundi and the region have been actively questioning the causes behind these repeated fires, with many calling for investigations into possible patterns or underlying factors.
The president’s message comes amid ongoing concerns about economic stability and public safety in local trading hubs, which serve as vital lifelines for many citizens.
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