Nearly 350 shops were destroyed by Hlaing Yadana or Bar Tar Market fire in Hlaing township, Yangon Region, U Thein Tun Oo, Director of Myanmar Fire Bridge, told One News.
The fire started at about over midnight of 12 am on February 16 morning and was extinguished by the Level 2 vehicle group after nearly an hour of operation. The fire destroyed 228 shops in the 6 main building and 120 shops in the 3 pop-up selling place, totaling 348 shops, said Director U Thein Tun Oo.
The fire department formed a group and has been investigating the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage. As the hot, dry summer season is approaching, it is necessary for the fire bridge to give advices and perform awareness-raising activities seriously not to break out fires that may cause heavy losses like markets, factories and workshops fires, said Director U Thein Tun Oo.
During the incident, a 70-year-old man who came to see the fire scene was involved in a car accident, sustained injuries, and passed away while receiving treatment at the hospital and a person who suffered low oxygen was also treated, said a responsible person from a social welfare association. Bar Tar Market, which caught fire, is a large market classified as Grade (B) by the Markets Department of the Yangon City Development Committee. It consists of 15 main market buildings with nearly 450 shops.
