A violent fire outbreak ravaged the Dakar market in Cameroon’s economic capital Douala, reducing several shops to ashes and leaving traders and residents in deep distress.
This tragic event, which occurred during the night, raises questions about the responsibilities related to electricity supply in this commercial area.
The initial analyses show that an electrical fault caused the fire outbreak.
Frequent cuts and voltage fluctuations have become commonplace in the districts of Dakar, Brazzaville, Oyack, and Combi in Douala.
“Here, we live to the rhythm of cuts. The lights flash as if it were a fireworks show, and it ends up damaging our equipment,” laments a trader affected by the fire.
Residents Blame Electricity for Fire Outbreak
Residents accuse ENEO, Cameroon’s main electricity supplier, of negligence.
For them, the poor quality of service is directly responsible for this tragedy, which could have been avoided with a more reliable electricity network.
On the scene, the desolation is palpable.
Mountains of charred debris bear witness to the extent of the damage.
“I lost everything, my goods and my investment of several years went up in smoke,” said a tearful trader.
For many, this fire represents an economic tragedy that plunges them into total uncertainty about their future.
The residents, also affected, express their anger at this recurring situation.
“This is not the first time that a fire has broken out in our markets. As long as ENEO does not react, we will remain exposed to this type of disaster,” fumes a resident of the Brazzaville district.
Beyond the material losses, this fire highlights the fragility of the electricity network in these districts.
The residents are calling for urgent intervention from the authorities and ENEO to modernize the infrastructure and reduce the risk of fires linked to electrical fluctuations.
In addition, traders are calling for the installation of prevention systems, such as fire extinguishers or fire pumps, to limit damage during disasters.
This tragic event is a wake-up call for local officials and companies in charge of electricity.
Residents hope that this disaster will trigger an improvement in the quality of the network and prevent other tragedies.
While waiting for concrete measures, the Dakar market remains a sad symbol of the consequences of poor management of essential services.
The victims will have to arm themselves with courage to rebuild their lives, despite the uncertainties that still hang over their future.
