Rwanda: No Fatalities Reported in Musanze Market Fire, Officials Say

What the report says

Authorities in Musanze District, Rwanda, said no deaths were reported after a fire badly damaged GOICO Plaza, the city’s main market, on Saturday, October 10. According to The New Times, the blaze started around 4 p.m. on the roof of the five-storey building and spread quickly through the structure, reaching the second floor and later affecting all levels. Large amounts of merchandise were destroyed, and firefighting continued for hours into Sunday as crews worked to extinguish remaining flames.

Officials said the extent of the financial losses was still being assessed. Musanze District Mayor Claudien Nsengimana told residents and affected business owners that the priority was keeping people safe and preventing injuries because the building remained unstable and off-limits while emergency crews secured the site. Fire and rescue teams from the Rwanda National Police, the military and local residents took part in the response.

The fire hit a large commercial hub used by about 2,000 traders, making the incident significant for the local economy. Vendors interviewed by The New Times said they had lost stock and livelihoods and called for a full investigation into the cause of the blaze, stronger firefighting capacity as the town grows, and possible tax or financial support for those affected. As reported, the ground floor appeared to have suffered less damage than the upper levels.