Traders at the Konyokonyo market in the Old Fangak town of Fangak County, Jonglei State are counting losses after a huge fire burnt down the market Sunday, destroying goods worth millions.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Samuel Kangac, the Secretary-General for Fangak Chamber of Commerce, said the early Sunday morning fire outbreak gutted about 65 shops in the market, burning commodities worth more than 6,00,000 SSP.
“The fire started at 1 am. 65 shops and five homes surrounding the market were burnt to ashes. Items burnt in the shops are food items like sugar, flour, dry fish, and sorghum. According to our preliminary findings this morning, the loss is estimated at 6 million SSP and about USD 200,000," he said.
Kangac pointed out that the cause of the inferno remains unknown.
“No one sleeps at the market. So up to now, the cause of the fire is not known. The whole market is burnt to the ground. Traders keep cash in their shops so even money was burnt,” he added.
The businessman called for help from the government, saying those affected are left hopeless amidst the ongoing floods.
For his part, Biel Boutrus Biel, the Fangak County commissioner, said: “We got the report this morning that the fire outbreak took place in Old Fangak at a place called Konyokonyo market. I am still gathering information about the cause and the damages. Old Fangak is encircled by water, and such event can cause a lot of damages.”