ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A fire broke out at Erbil’s Qaisari bazaar near the city’s famous citadel on Saturday night. Fire crews were deployed to the scene to bring the blaze under control.
Reports indicate the fire was caused by an electrical fault.
The extent of the fire damage is not yet clear. There are currently no reports of fatalities.
A shopkeeper told Rudaw 300 stores were at risk of catching fire.
Shwan Abdulkadir, head of the Erbil civil defense team, told Rudaw fire crews have struggled to reach the fire owing to heavy traffic. He urged the public to stay away and for the crowd of onlookers to disperse.
Several shopkeepers rushed to the scene to rescue their stock and cash left on site.