In Burundi, flames appear to have become increasingly familiar sights in markets and commercial centers. Under the slogans of “Leta Nkoze” and “Leta Mvyeyi,” intended to embody state action and closeness to the people, repeated fires continue to wipe out traders’ livelihoods. On Friday, Bujumbura once again paid a heavy price: the Ndayizamba and Le Parisien shopping galleries were ravaged by a massive fire, leaving charred shops, destroyed merchandise and traders facing an uncertain future.

The first flames reportedly appeared at around 6 a.m. on the fifth floor of Ndayizamba. Within a short time, the fire spread to other levels of the building before reaching the neighboring Le Parisien gallery. Thick black smoke then rose over the city center as emergency crews struggled to contain the blaze.

Firefighting vehicles were dispatched to the scene, while police and military personnel secured the surrounding area to keep bystanders and traders away from the buildings. Firefighters nevertheless faced difficulties reaching the galleries because of limited access.

Gabriel Rufyiri, president of the Observatory for the Fight Against Corruption and Economic Embezzlement (Olucome), who visited the scene, highlighted the challenges encountered by emergency teams in reaching the site effectively.

As a precautionary measure, several nearby businesses and companies suspended their operations. The Bank of Credit of Bujumbura (BCB), located in the area, was among those that temporarily closed its doors.

For the occupants of the two galleries, the scenes were particularly distressing.

Many watched in a matter of hours as stocks accumulated through years of hard work disappeared in the flames. Clothing, shoes, jewelry, kitchen utensils and traditional women’s garments, including imvutano, were among the goods sold in the affected shops.

The fire has hit small business owners particularly hard, many of whom depend on their businesses to support entire families. Some traders had invested their savings in purchasing merchandise, while others had taken out bank loans. The destruction of their stocks has left them facing heavy losses while their financial obligations remain.

“I don’t see how my family is going to survive. I have a bank loan, and I have four children who need school supplies and tuition fees,” one trader said, appealing for help as he described his situation as desperate.

Emotions ran high around the security perimeter. Traders wept as they watched their shops go up in flames. Two women reportedly collapsed before being assisted by rescuers. For several victims, Friday’s disaster brought back memories of another devastating fire: the blaze that destroyed Bujumbura’s central market in January 2013.

Following that catastrophe, some traders continued their businesses in different commercial galleries across the capital, including Ndayizamba and Le Parisien. More than a decade later, they are once again confronted with the destruction of their livelihoods, putting their economic future in jeopardy.

The exact circumstances surrounding the fire remain unknown. People who were at the scene said they heard explosions inside the Le Parisien gallery. The possibility that flammable materials may have contributed to the spread of the fire has also been raised, although this has not been officially confirmed.

Vice President Prosper Bazombanza, who visited the site to assess the damage, urged the public to refrain from drawing premature conclusions. He said investigators should examine certain practices used by traders, including the use of charcoal-powered irons. He also encouraged business owners to insure their merchandise as a way of reducing the financial impact of such disasters.

Beyond Friday’s tragedy, the fire has reignited concerns over fire prevention in commercial areas. The local organization Parole et Action pour le Réveil des Consciences et l’Évolution des Mentalités (PARCEM) is calling on the government to take urgent action, including setting aside financial resources for emergency response and considering the acquisition of a helicopter for rescue operations. The organization is also calling for a dedicated meeting to address the recurring fires affecting markets across the country.

Gabriel Rufyiri is likewise calling for an urgent meeting of the National Security Council. He argues that the recurrence of such disasters, combined with the difficulties faced by firefighters, requires a more coordinated and effective response.

The latest fire comes only weeks after part of the central market in Ngozi was destroyed by fire in July.

The succession of such incidents is raising renewed questions about electrical installations, fire-prevention measures, the layout of commercial areas and the resources available to respond rapidly when fires break out.