Niamey Market Fire Swiftly Contained, Preventing Major Damage

NIAMEY – A fire broke out in an electronic equipment store at the large market in Niamey on Monday, causing significant material damage but no human casualties, as swiftly reported by the Niger Press Agency.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the incident occurred around 1 p.m. on January 22, 2024, in district 6 of the market. The blaze, likely caused by an electrical short circuit, was rapidly controlled thanks to the quick response of local residents, averting further destruction.

The ANP detailed that neighbors played a crucial role in mitigating the fire’s impact, saving several items before the arrival of professional firefighters. Their prompt action effectively prevented the fire from spreading to a larger area of the market. The national police have since secured the site to deter any potential acts of vandalism in the aftermath of the fire.

This incident in Niamey follows a similar event in November 2023, when a fire in the telephone sellers’ section of the large Diffa market, located in eastern Niger, resulted in the destruction of about twenty shops. Fortunately, in both instances, there were no reports of injuries or loss of life.