A large fire broke out early Sunday morning at a secondhand goods and carpet market in the Company area of western Kabul, causing extensive property damage, local sources confirmed.
The blaze reportedly erupted in a storage area behind a row of shops in the market, known for selling used household items and carpets. Dozens of vendors operated in the affected space, which is located in Police District 5 of the capital.
Eyewitnesses said the flames spread rapidly, prompting nearby shopkeepers to hurriedly remove their merchandise. Thick black smoke filled the area, raising fears that the fire might extend to nearby residential buildings and facilities, including a maternity clinic.
Firefighting crews were deployed to the scene and were still working to contain the blaze as of Sunday afternoon. Efforts have been hampered by the market’s dense layout and the intensity of the fire, officials said.
No casualties had been reported by the time of publication, but witnesses said losses among merchants were likely to be severe.
This is the third major market fire reported in Kabul in less than six months. Observers have cited a lack of fire safety infrastructure and failure to enforce basic safety standards as recurring causes behind such incidents.
