Gambiaj.com – (KHOMBOLE, Senegal) – devastating overnight fire tore through the Gambian Market in Khombole, Senegal, destroying 19 market stalls and several shops, leaving traders with substantial financial losses while prompting an official investigation into the cause of the blaze.
The fire broke out during the night of Wednesday, July 15, into Thursday, July 16, 2026, sweeping through a section of the market before firefighters managed to contain it. Despite the scale of the destruction, no casualties or injuries were reported.
Witnesses said the flames consumed hair salons, second-hand clothing businesses, shoe shops, clothing boutiques and cosmetic stores. Many traders lost their entire stock, with years of investment destroyed within a matter of hours.
The commander of the Khombole National Fire Brigade said the emergency call was received at 3:38 a.m. Firefighters responded immediately and brought the blaze under control after about 30 minutes of operations, preventing it from spreading to the rest of the Gambian Market and averting what could have been a far more devastating disaster.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Gendarmerie officers who responded to the scene have opened an investigation to determine what sparked the blaze.
Local authorities also visited the Gambian Market to assess the extent of the damage and offer support to the affected traders.
Officials said they would evaluate the losses and consider measures to assist businesses that were destroyed by the fire as investigations continue.
The incident has dealt a heavy blow to traders at the Gambian Market, many of whom depend on their businesses as their primary source of income.
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