Local authorities of Warrap State’s Gogrial West County on Tuesday said a fire, suspected to be a case of arson, destroyed 77 shops, 2 big generators, goods, and 2 motorbikes in the Mayom-totin market in Alek Payam.
Deng Mayuot, a local trader who doubles as the chairperson of the local chamber of commerce, told Radio Tamazuj Tuesday that the fire started at around 4 am and they suspect criminals lit it.
“The market got burnt at around 4 in the morning and we are accusing the local criminals because they had even started grabbing things in the market during the day. I held a meeting on Monday with security heads and asked them to provide forces to carry out patrols at night,” he explained. “The following day on Tuesday, the market was on fire and 77 shops with stock and goods were burnt to the ground. 2 power generators which were used to light the market and 2 motorcycles all got destroyed because some shops were grass-thatched and others were built with iron sheets and local materials.”
According to Mayuot, some of the local traders listed over SSP 400,000 in losses but the assessment and registration of cumulative loss is still ongoing, and the commissioner visited the scene of the fire.
Another trader, Kuch Tong, said the fire consumed all his goods, and that he had nothing left to restart his business.
“The fire burnt my shop, 5 sacks with 250 kg of sugar and 2 sacks of 100 kg of flour,” he lamented. “I used to sell these items in kilos and cups but now I do not have anything like capital to restart a business.”
Meanwhile, Ayak Deng, who makes and sells tea, said that it was hard to find sorghum or flour for her family after the Mayom-totin market fire because it is the only market in the area.
“What has happened to us is bad. The market got burnt because there was too much wind which spread the fire which consumed all the flour, sorghum, sugar, and other commodities,” she said. “I thank God that the hut where I sell tea is a little far from where the fire started so my things were saved. But where will I get flour?”
On his part, Major Marko Wol, the police officer in charge of the Mayom Totin area, said they initially arrested two suspects but one was later set free.
“Mayom-totin market burned after we deployed 14 joint forces to patrol the market at night. In the morning (Tuesday) at around 4 am, the police apprehended a woman who is now the first suspect,” he said. “She was asked where she was going and the woman said she wanted to go and fetch some water but after a while, the fire started from where she went.”
Victor Week Koor, the Gogrial West County commissioner said they have reported the incident to humanitarian organizations and asked them to come to the aid of the local population.
“The market caught fire on Tuesday and I went there and got a preliminary report that 77 shops, two generators, and two motorcycles were burnt,” he said. “I reported it to the aid organizations but they have to first come and do an assessment before they can deliver any support.”