A large fire broke out overnight at the Guliston market in the Matlubot jamoat of the Tajik northern city of Panjakent, locally known as Lattabozor.
According to the city's fire department, the blaze started at around 10:10 PM on November 12 near the market entrance. The fire spread over an area of 600 square meters and was fully extinguished by 2:30 AM on November 13.
Tajikistan’s State Fire Service, part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, reported via Instagram that they received the emergency call at 10:33 PM. Seven fire trucks and four water tankers were dispatched from the Panjakent division, involving a total of 87 personnel.
According to the State Fire Service, the fire ultimately affected 792 square meters. A total of 280 market stalls and 20 adjacent shops—mainly selling household goods and clothing—were either destroyed or severely damaged.
"Thanks to the quick actions of the firefighting teams, merchandise and property on the market, as well as nearby residential homes worth approximately 27 million somonis, were saved from the flames," the fire service said in a statement.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Fires at local markets are not uncommon in Tajikistan. Authorities often cite violations of fire safety regulations or electrical faults as the primary causes. Affected entrepreneurs frequently complain that losses from such incidents go uncompensated.
