Minbya market fire destroys 300 shops, incurs loss of Kyats 30 billion

Nearly 300 shops in Myoma market of Minbya township were destroyed by the fire resulting in a loss of around Kyats 30 billion. The fire fighters believe that the fire could be a case of arson.

Ko Shwe Htoo, secretary of Minbya free funeral service society, who supported the fire fighting efforts, revealed that one market remains intact. The rest were completely destroyed, he added.

The fire started at 10:30 pm on 12 April and it was seemingly an act of arson as the  fire didn't originate in a single location.

“Till we arrived, the entire market caught fire. If it had started from one spot, it would have remained confined to that area. Two separate places were burning simultaneously without any source of ignition. This suggests a deliberate arson," he explained.

 The local residents reported that a jet fighter and a drone hovered over the town at 10:15 pm on  that day and hence the fire incident should be investigated properly.

Currently, Minbya township of Rakhine State falls under the control of Arakha Army (AA) on 6 February.

"When we were fleeing, the market was burned down. During the town's takeover battle, a number of pagodas, monasteries and private buildings were destroyed,” said a Minbya resident.