A five-year-old child has died after a major fire tore through Juba’s busy Custom Market on Monday evening, destroying shops and nearby homes, police have confirmed.
The child was reportedly alone in a house close to the market when the blaze broke out. The mother had gone to purchase items, according to police spokesperson Maj. Gen. James Monday Enoka.
“The child who died was left in the house and his parents were not there,” Maj. Gen. Enoka told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday morning. “When the fire started, the child burned to death.”
He said a case has been opened and that police investigations into the cause of the fire have begun, but no further details could be provided at this early stage.
The fire began around 7 p.m. near the compound of the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) in the Nyakuron area. It rapidly swept through a section of the market, engulfing multiple shops and threatening adjacent residences.
Firefighters worked for several hours to contain the flames after arriving at the scene, which witnesses described as responding “a bit late.”
Traders Count Losses
As the smoke cleared, distressed business owners surveyed the charred remains of their livelihoods. Many lost their entire stock in the lead-up to the Christmas season.
“I lost a lot of money because all my goods were consumed by fire,” said trader Florence Monday. “It is Christmas time and children are now waiting for me… This shop was the only source of income for my family.”
Another trader, Nazeer Mohammed, said the fire spread despite the market’s proximity to a police station, leaving little time to rescue goods. He and others called on the government for compensation and assistance.
The human cost of the disaster was underscored by Stella Luka, who said her wig business, valued at $2,500, was destroyed. The income, she explained, was crucial for sustaining her family, paying school fees, and covering medical treatment for a child with cancer.
“We call on our government to help us so that we can stand on our feet again,” she said.
‘Economic Tragedy’
The National Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture issued a statement expressing “profound concern,” describing the incident as an “economic and social tragedy.”
It noted that businesses built over years were wiped out in moments and affirmed solidarity with those affected. The Chamber pledged to work with traders to overcome the aftermath and said it was in contact with authorities to help determine the fire’s cause and ensure future protective measures.
The statement emphasised that the Custom Market is a vital economic artery for thousands of families and that its damage affects the wider community.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.