A major fire broke out on Sunday, July 12, 2026, around 7:30 p.m., ravaging the main building of the large market in Bondoukou as well as several adjacent shops. While the material damage is expected to be particularly extensive, fortunately no human casualties have been reported.

An emergency mobilization under high tension

As soon as the fire was reported, a large rescue and security operation was deployed to the scene. Civilian firefighters, police officers, gendarmes, military personnel and medical teams joined forces under the direct supervision of the regional and departmental prefect, Kouadio Gbongbo André , who arrived quickly on site.

The situation was all the more critical as the fire threatened highly flammable areas:

"What worries me most are the gas cylinder shops located nearby. If the fire reaches them, it will be a real catastrophe," warned the prefect, while calling on the local population to strictly respect safety instructions.

A coordinated intervention to limit the damage

To prevent any risk of looting in the confusion, law enforcement immediately cordoned off and secured the perimeter.

Thanks to effective synergy between the civilian firefighters, the National Office for Drinking Water (ONEP) and the technical teams of the company PORTEO BTP, the blaze was brought under control and contained around 11 p.m. , thus preventing the flames from spreading to the rest of the commercial site.

The dismay of shopkeepers faced with the rubble

In the aftermath of the disaster, the mood is one of desolation for the market's economic players. Testimonies gathered on site describe scenes of utter distress:

1. Coulibaly Seydou , owner of a hardware store that was completely destroyed, said: "When I arrived, everything was already burned out. I have nothing left."
2. Another shopkeeper, in tears, laments the loss of what was her family's sole source of income.

Despite the shock and the loss of their livelihoods, many victims expressed their relief that no lives were lost. Regarding the cause of the fire, initial findings point to an electrical short circuit as the likely cause.

A major blow to the economy of Gontougo

A historic building erected in 1971, the large market of Bondoukou had just expanded in 2025 with the integration of 26 new shops. A true economic engine of the Gontougo region, this is the very first time it has faced a disaster of such magnitude.

An official investigation should be opened very soon in order to determine exactly the origin of the fire and to assess the overall amount of material damage.