A fire burnt down the Konyo Konyo Market yesterday evening affecting traders greatly and causing huge economic losses.
Richard Abordio, who owned a shop in the most popular market of Juba, told CRN that the fire started at around 6:00 PM and spread to the whole market.He said the fire brigade did not appear immediately and the traders hired water tankers to contain the blaze.
Mr Abordio said many traders lost their goods, including foodstuff, to the flames.
The shop owner added that this morning traders were still trying to salvage what they could althouhg the fire was still burning.
Mr Abordio complained that thieves were stealing the goods owners took from the flames while the police hanged around in the market.
He added that the government is not protecting traders’ properties.
Mr Abordio said such negligence from the authorities would discourage businessmen to invest in South Sudan.
Mr Abordio said the fire outbreak caused a great loss to both the traders and the people of Juba and may cause food shortages in town.
Investigators are trying to find how the fire started.