The fire broke out while the shopkeepers were asleep, according to traders who spoke to Le360. They said they were alerted to the blaze and rushed to the market to assess the damage.
The exact cause remains unclear. Traders said accounts circulating at the scene suggest the fire started in the middle of the market before spreading to nearby shops. Some also pointed to a possible electrical short circuit, but there has been no official determination of the cause.
Fire at Tangier Market in Oujda. (M.Chellay/Le360).. Le360
One trader estimated the losses at his shop at between MAD 150,000 and MAD 200,000. Another said the fire destroyed goods from his herbal-products business worth around MAD 450,000.
The traders said six shops were affected, leaving substantial damage to merchandise and property.
One trader and local association member compared the incident to an earlier fire at the area’s Melilla Market, which also caused major losses for shopkeepers.
The affected traders called on fellow merchants, professional associations and market managers to step up fire-safety awareness, particularly around electrical equipment and phone chargers. They urged shopkeepers to disconnect devices from power sources after closing to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
The traders also thanked local authorities, security services and civil protection teams for their response. They singled out the regional governor, who visited the scene to assess the damage and offer condolences to those affected.
