Sharjah's Al Ghuwair Market fire leaves families homeless

Sharjah - 12 shops, 3 apartments gutted Sharjah Al Ghuwair Market blaze.

The massive fire which broke out on Saturday morning in Sharjah's Al Ghuwair Market gutted 12 shops and three apartments, causing huge financial loss and leaving five families homeless. The total loss is estimated to be over Dh5 million, according to the owners of various destroyed shops.Goods including garments, blanket, abayas and electronic equipment were destroyed in the blaze.

Five families who live in the first floor of the building were left homeless and all their possessions were destroyed, leaving them only with the clothes they wore while the fire erupted.One of the shop owners said he lost all he had, including savings and his only source of income. Many of them said they have been left empty-handed and don't know what to do as everything fell apart in one night.Speaking to Khaleej Times, Narindran Kumar, the owner of Rubee textiles, said he had two textile shops which stored garments of all types. "My goods worth Dh600,000 have all gone. The shops were insured for Dh200,000. "I can't start a new business because I don't have the capital and don't know what to do; this business was my only source of income."

Abdull Noushad, Owner of Novelty shops, said he had four shops selling abayas, blankets, electronic items and textiles, and nothing was left after the fire. His losses are estimated at more than Dh1 million and have no insurance to cover that loss. "I have been running this business for more than 20 years and depend on it to support my family. I have no way to restart my business."Kutabulddin Zahid, 30-year-old owner of Al Burhani Textiles, said he was born and brought up here and his father had been running the shop for last 35 years. He said his loss is estimated at Dh400,000.

"I couldn't believe that our family business for 35 years is gone in one night. Whole members of the family depend on the income from the shop and I don't know what to do now."

The owner of Noor Al Safa said all his goods including perfumes, garments and blankets worth 300,000 were gutted. He also had no insurance coverage.

A top official at the Sharjah Civil Defence said the Operations Room received a call at 3.30am on Saturday about the fire at Al Ghuwair market. The firefighters reached the scene immediately and brought the fire under control within minutes before it spread to nearby buildings. "It would have been a bigger tragedy if the fire had spread to nearby shops as all of them sold flammable materials."The Anjad patrols cordoned off the area to facilitate the entry of fire engines and firefighters. Brig Al Suwaidi said there were no deaths or injuries though the fire destroyed 12 shops and three apartments located above the shops.A Sharjah Police official said forensic experts suspected a short circuit in one of the shops had triggered the fire.

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

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