A fire outbreak yesterday consumed several shops at Carrefour Nsam in Yaoundé’s III Subdivision, leaving shop owners in distress.
The flames devoured several shops, resulting in extensive damage and significant losses for local businesses.
The fire erupted along the axis leading to the Damase district, with witnesses attributing its origin to the burning of household waste.
According to eyewitness accounts, the blaze ignited around 3 p.m. in a bar in the Nsam neighbourhood, before rapidly spreading to adjacent shops, fueled by combustible materials.
“It all started with a moment of inattention. The fire spread very quickly to several shops. It is difficult to count the businesses that have gone up in smoke. I had three. Everything was licked by the flames. It is a great loss for me. I don’t know where to start,” revealed one victim.
Efforts to contain the inferno were hampered by its swift progression, with firefighters dispatched to the scene to battle the raging flames.
Despite their prompt intervention, the fire resulted in the complete destruction of goods stored in the affected shops.
Fortunately, no human casualties were reported in the aftermath of the blaze.
However, the extent of the damage was substantial, leaving behind a trail of devastation and despair for the affected shop owners.
Officers of the Efoulan Gendarmerie Brigade took into custody the woman who reportedly ignited the fire while burning household waste.
