Afghanistan: Fire engulfs hundreds of shops in Kabul

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan

More than 500 shops with goods worth millions of dollars were gutted by fire caused by an electric short circuit in the Afghan capital Kabul, officials confirmed on Friday.

Basir Mujahed, spokesman for the Afghan National Police in the capital, told Anadolu Agency the fire was sparked by an electric short circuit in the Kher Khwa electronics market close to Pashtunistan Square, and engulfed four other nearby markets as well.

Local Salam Afghanistan radio reported the blaze erupted last evening and was put out on Friday morning. It added that all affected markets had hundreds of shops for electric appliances and other electronic goods.

The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) has estimated the losses to be in the dozens of millions of dollars.

The Kher Khwa market is in close proximity to a number of government buildings in the old Kabul bazaar area.

A number of similar incidents in the past have exposed the vulnerabilities of the Afghans amid sub-standard safety and building control measures.