Tuesday August 5, 2025
Residents gather among the charred remains of Suuq Bacaad in Mogadishu’s Yaqshid district after a devastating overnight fire destroyed hundreds of stalls. The blaze killed one child and caused extensive financial losses, prompting calls for a full investigation and improved emergency infrastructure.
Mogadishu (HOL) — A deadly fire that swept through Suuq Ba'aad, Mogadishu’s second-largest open-air market, has prompted city officials to fast-track infrastructure upgrades, while a federal lawmaker has raised suspicions of arson.
The blaze, which broke out late Monday in Yaqshid district, killed at least one person, destroyed hundreds of stalls, and caused millions of shillings in damages. One vendor, Shukri Geedi, said she lost $8,000 worth of merchandise. Municipal fire crews battled the flames for several hours before extinguishing the fire late into the night. The intensity of the blaze and narrow alleyways within the market complicated rescue and containment efforts.
The fire also claimed the life of a young girl, reigniting calls for improved safety in one of the capital’s busiest commercial areas.
“This is a heartbreaking event. We extend our condolences to the victim’s family,” said Suleiman Mahamoud Fargah, the commissioner of Yaqshid district. He attributed the blaze to an electrical fault but acknowledged that a full investigation is still underway.
During a site visit on Tuesday, Mogadishu Mayor and Banadir Governor Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab announced that the city would construct internal roadways through Suuq Bacaad and other major markets to ease emergency access and prevent similar disasters.
“These roads are critical for public safety, ensuring firefighters, ambulances, and rescue workers can reach people when it matters most,” Muungaab said.
Suuq Ba'aad has long suffered from congestion, poor sanitation, and a lack of infrastructure, making it vulnerable to large-scale fires. The market has experienced several incidents over the years, but Monday night’s inferno was among the most destructive in recent memory.
Mogadishu Mayor and Banadir Governor Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab speaks to the press during a visit to Suuq Bacaad in Yaqshid district on August 5, 2025, following a deadly fire that devastated the market. The mayor announced plans to construct internal roadways through the market to improve emergency response access.
As damage assessments continue, local officials and market leaders are forming a committee to evaluate the scale of economic loss and coordinate with affected vendors. The group will also collect data to help guide future aid disbursements and reconstruction planning.
While district officials suspect an electrical issue, some traders believe the fire may have started from a garbage pile in one corner of the market, which quickly ignited nearby stalls. Federal MP Yasin Abdullahi Mohamud Farey has suggested that the fire may have been deliberately set. “Given the speed and spread, I believe this was no accident,” he told reporters. “We need a full investigation.”
The conflicting claims have intensified calls for a transparent investigation. The Ministry of Internal Security is reportedly coordinating with police to explore potential criminal intent.
Muungaab pledged that market road plans would be developed in close consultation with vendors to avoid disrupting livelihoods. “This tragedy must serve as a turning point in how we plan and protect our markets,” he said.