Massive Fire Destroys Clothing Market in Praia, Cape Verde
A massive fire ripped through a major clothing market and an adjacent building in Cape Verde’s capital city, Praia, on Friday afternoon, leaving vendors devastated and causing significant property damage.
Flames Tear Through Ponta Belém
The blaze erupted shortly after 3:00 PM local time in the Ponta Belém district. The fire concentrated on a covered ramp that serves as a vital pedestrian and commercial link between the Plateau—the city’s historic center—and its bustling downtown district. This area is known for its dense concentration of stalls and vendors selling ready-to-wear clothing.
Hélio Semedo, the National Commander of Relief Operations, confirmed that civil protection teams and firefighters were deployed immediately. “Teams continue to carry out suppression actions,” Semedo told Lusa, adding that a thorough investigation into the cause and extent of the damage would follow once the site is secured. Emergency crews also conducted searches within the affected building to ensure no one was trapped.
Vendors Fight to Save Livelihoods
While no casualties have been reported, the economic impact is expected to be severe. The market is a lifeline for many local families who rely on the sale of goods and “ready-to-wear” shipments sent by relatives living abroad.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos and heartbreak. Dozens of vendors spent the afternoon scrambling to save their merchandise, piling salvaged clothing in nearby access areas. For many, the efforts were too late.
“I was at home and they called me,” one vendor told Lusa while standing over a pile of soaked inventory. “Everything I have is wet, and I don’t know what to do.” Many others remained at the scene throughout the evening, visibly distraught and waiting for assistance in securing what remained of their stock.
Ongoing Emergency Response
Municipal firefighters deployed significant resources to the scene. Despite their efforts, several pockets of the market continued to smolder three hours after the initial outbreak. Civil protection teams remain on-site to monitor “hot spots” and prevent the fire from reigniting in the densely packed commercial area.
Image: Pexels – Thomas Schwaak
