The “Camp des Polices Militaires” market in Mont-Ngafula was the scene of a violent fire on the night of Monday August 21 to Tuesday August 22, 2023. More than forty commercial houses and nearly three hundred tables were ravaged by the flames , causing huge material losses for traders.
The exact causes of this fire are still unknown, but according to testimonies collected on the spot, the wooden houses and tables favored the rapid spread of the fire. High winds helped the flames spread, making it difficult to control the blaze.
Fortunately, no loss of life was reported, as the tragedy occurred after the market closed. However, many traders lost their entire merchandise in this incident.
The testimonies of the victims are poignant, demonstrating the extent of the losses suffered. A shopkeeper, having lost her freezer as well as bags of semolina, fufu and corn, expresses her distress. Another mum, who had just bought items to resell, was left with only what she had bought after everything else was consumed by the flames.
Despite the tragedy, no fire-fighting vehicle was able to reach the scene of the fire, highlighting the difficulties of intervention by the authorities in such situations.
This fire at the “Camp des Polices Militaires” market is a stark reminder of the risks to which traders and infrastructure in the DRC are exposed. Prevention and the implementation of adequate security measures should be a priority in order to avoid such disasters in the future.
In conclusion, the consequences of the fire at the “Camp des Polices Militaires” market are disastrous for traders who have lost their means of subsistence. It is essential to support and accompany these economic actors in the reconstruction of their activities in order to minimize the long-term economic repercussions