Massive fire broke-out in a Souq in Ajman on Wednesday and more than 100 shops were ruined. Around dozens of firefighters, including crew from Dubai, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain helped quench the blaze by 9pm. Nobody was hurt but damage to the souq, which had been closed for four months to prevent the spread of Covid-19, was extensive.
The market is near Ajman Speciality Hospital and a fruit and vegetable market in the city's industrial area. On Thursday, Brig Abdulaziz Al Shamsi, director-general of the emirate's civil defence, said 125 shops in the popular souq were destroyed.
"The civil defence teams controlled the fire but the cooling process is still ongoing,” he said.
Inflammable items stored in the market are believed to have worsened the fire's quick spread.
“The massive fire and heavy smoke were caused by the nature of products stored in shops, which are made of plastic, sponge and cotton,” said Brig Al Shamsi. This prompted the evacuation of nearby Ajman Speciality Hospital on Wednesday as a precautionary measure.
An investigation into what started the fire, which caused parts of the market to collapse, is under way. The souq, which is home to dozens of traders, is a popular attraction in Ajman, drawing visitors from across the Emirates.
"It is a one-way road and barriers were placed to stop drivers from traveling against the flow of traffic, so I removed them to facilitate access for civil defense and police vehicles.
A worker said: "There are dozens of shops in that souq."
Another worker, who asked not to be named, said several people tried to put it out the fire with extinguishers from their shops but were unable to contain the rapidly-spreading flames.
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