Devastating Fire Destroys Juba’s Custom Market, Claims Life and Livelihoods
Juba, December 3, 2025 — A fierce blaze tore through Juba’s bustling Custom Market on Tuesday evening, reducing countless stalls to ashes, claiming the life of a young person, and plunging dozens of families into crisis. The fire, which began around 7 p.m. near the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation compound, left a scene of smoldering wreckage and twisted metal, gutting a vital commercial hub in the heart of the capital.
Senior Presidential Envoy Hon. Adult Kiir, who visited the site on Wednesday, described a harrowing scene. “I was left speechless as I witnessed firsthand the aftermath of a devastating fire,” Kiir posted on social media. “The intensity of the blaze was still palpable, and its heat could still be felt at the scene, leaving a lasting impression on all present.” He extended his thoughts and prayers to the affected traders and families, acknowledging the extensive destruction where “countless stalls and shops [were] reduced to ashes.”
The human and economic toll is severe. In an already struggling economy, the market was a lifeline for many families who depended on these small businesses. The loss extends beyond property; authorities confirmed that the fire also claimed a young life, deepening the tragedy.
In response, Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony has ordered urgent humanitarian aid for the displaced traders and called for immediate improvements to market safety standards to prevent future disasters. “The destruction is extensive,” echoed Envoy Kiir, underscoring the scale of the emergency.
As the community reels from the shock—summed up in local sentiments such as “may the almighty God nurse your bleeding wounds and broken hearts”—authorities have begun an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. The incident has also sparked urgent calls for a stronger and faster fire response capability in the city to protect vulnerable commercial centers.
The story, compiled from official reports and eyewitness accounts, continues to develop as the full extent of the losses is assessed and recovery efforts begin.
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