Rwanda: Musanze Market Fire - Govt Consoles Traders, Pledges Support for Repair

What the report says

Rwanda’s government has expressed solidarity with traders and private-sector members in Musanze District after a fire badly damaged GOICO Plaza, the city’s main market building, on Saturday, October 10, according to The New Times via AllAfrica. The Ministry of Local Government said no one died in the blaze, though two people suffered minor injuries and 15 others needed medical attention for shock; two remained hospitalized at the time of reporting.

The fire reportedly started on the rooftop of the five-storey complex around 4:00 p.m. and spread quickly to the second floor before affecting all levels by about 6:00 p.m. Crews continued working until Sunday morning to bring it under control. Officials said the response from police fire and rescue teams, local authorities and residents helped stop the flames from reaching nearby buildings.

The government said investigations are under way to determine the cause of the fire and pledged support for rehabilitating the market so businesses can reopen. The article said about 2,000 traders operated in GOICO Plaza, the largest market building in Northern Province, and that the financial losses were still being assessed. The incident is significant because the market is a major commercial center for Musanze and the wider region.