A fire consumed a section of the Pibor market in the Greater Pibor Adminstrative Area on Monday morning, destroying an area where vendors sell clothes and medicines.

Simon Peter Ajang, the area’s local government and law enforcement agencies minister, told Radio Tamazuj that the early Monday morning inferno left residents and business people vulnerable.

“About four pharmacies, seven clothing shops, and 15 groceries shops were completely burnt to ashes,” Simon Peter said. “The fire started at 2 am and continued for a long time, leaving a section of the market completely burnt. The reason for the fire is not clear, but it could have been an electric shock.”

Balla Mathuoth, Pibor County Commissioner, said the fire will exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the area. “These goods were brought during the dry season. These damages caused by the fire means prices will shoot up because goods will now be supplied through roads,” Balla said.

Nyang Korok, a Pibor town resident at the scene, said the incident was a disaster.

“The incident started at 2 am. We rushed there but only managed to have a few shops rescued. All the ones with food items are burnt. We will now be in problems,” Nyang said.

For his part, Maj. Gen. Khamis Marjan Mazika, the GPAA police commissioner, said at least 28 shops were burnt during the incident.

“A total of 28 shops containing various items have been burnt to ashes. The reason for the fire is not known. As the police, our investigations are still ongoing into the incident,” he said.