By Asha Elmi - Reporter
DJIBOUTI (Dawan) Fire destroyed dozens of homes Monday in Djibouti City’s 7 Bis neighborhood, causing extensive property damage in a densely populated area, Djibouti’s state news agency ADI reported.
The fire broke out shortly before 2pm and spread rapidly through several parts of the neighborhood, where many families live in closely built housing.
Witnesses told ADI that thick black smoke could be seen from different parts of the city as residents rushed to save belongings before emergency crews arrived.
Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control after more than an hour of emergency operations.
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“The exact number of destroyed homes has not yet been confirmed, but dozens of houses were affected,” a civil protection official told ADI.
The official said the fire affected homes located along streets 12, 13, 14 and 15 in the 7 Bis neighborhood.
No casualties had been reported as of Monday evening, but authorities described the property damage as “very significant,” noting that many homes in the area were vulnerable to fast-spreading fires.
Djiboutian authorities said an investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the fire.