Photo: Social Media
Mizzima
435 shops were burned down when a fire engulfed a market in Pe Nwe Kone Town, in Bago Region’s Kyauktaga Township at about 6:00 pm on 2 April.
The market consisting of 493 shops was almost completely destroyed. The fire also burned down nine houses, a ward administration office, and a township municipal office. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
A woman who lives close to the market said: “My house is situated very close to the market, and I’m trembling with fear. I know many people who runs shops in the market. My hearts ache for their losses. The entire market has been reduced to ashes. This morning, numerous police and officials from various departments arrived to probe the cause of the fire.”
The fire started in the northern section of the town’s market located in the Pyi Tawin Ward of Pe Nwe Kone Town at around 6:00 pm. It was finally extinguished at about 11:00 pm, according to a resident of Pe Nwe Kone.
“Around twenty fire engines were mobilised to combat the blaze, including five from Bago, Phyu, and Kyauktaga townships. Despite their efforts, the market was completely razed to the ground”, said a witness.
The market was closed when the fire started and its cause remains unknown. The local authorities, including junta representatives, were due to conduct an investigation into the fire on the morning of 3 April, according to a local woman.
Mizzima is attempting to contact the Pe Nwe Kone Fire Department and the local police station for further information about the damage and the cause of the fire.
