Fire Destroys 70 Shops at Poti Market

An extensive fire broke out on ealy Monday in Poti Market, Western Georgia. The blaze encompassed an area of around 2000 square meters. 

A total of 70 shops have been destroyed in the fire, which makes up half the total stores located there. 

Head of Emergency Management Agency of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, Tamaz Ubilava said that the fire has been localized now.

"A total of 9 fire rescue brigades were trying to extinguish the fire, out of which 5 were from Poti and the rest were from the neighboring districts," he added.

Poti Mayor Irakli Kakulia arrived at the scene. He said a special commission will be set up, that will calculate the damage.

“The situation is very serious. Around 2000 square meters were affected by the fire. It is strange that this is not the first fire to break out a market recently” he stressed.

Fire-affected traders have doubts that the fire at Poti market was arson. They have asked the government for assistance.

This is the third fire to have burnt down one of the largest markets in the country. Earlier this month, a fire destroyed part of Eliava Market in Tbilisi, destroying a 2300 m2 area. Also, on January 30, 2017, a fire burnt through one of the largest shopping malls in the capital – Children’s World, that left around 1000 vendors without income.

Thea Morrison