Apparel market in Kokand burned to ashes (photos) 

On June 12, the apparel of hundreds of shopkeepers burned to ashes as a result of a fire that broke out in a shopping complex located in the city of Kokand, Fergana region. Some entrepreneurs managed to get their products out of the fire. Most of the traders have failed. The Kun.uz reporter was at the scene and talked with the MES official and businessmen who were trading in the market.

Ahliddin Alijanov, the head of the MES information service of Fergana region, informed that fire-rescue units from Namangan region also came to help extinguish the fire.

“On June 12, at 19:17, the MES department received a report about a fire in a clothing store. Fire and rescue units arrived at the scene at 19:25. Despite the quick measures taken, a fire broke out in approximately 5,000 square meters of the complex.

20 fire-rescue vehicles in the region were involved in extinguishing the fire. In addition, 5 rescue crews from the Namangan regional MES department came to help. The fire was completely extinguished at 23:30. At the moment, the area where the fire occurred is being re-controlled. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated,” he said.

The businessman Humoyun Farhodov said that all the goods in his shop were completely burnt.

“The market started burning at 17:00-18:00. We were at home at that time. After hearing about the terrible incident, we immediately reached the market. We entered the market and saw that the fire reached near our shop.

My brother and I came to the burning market together. When the door of the store did not open, we broke the glass and entered. We managed to get 2-3 bags of clothes. But it was not possible to take out the rest of our goods. My store had apparel worth 150-200 million soums. We couldn’t do anything,” said Humoyun Farhodov, who suffered financially due to the fire.

Gulbahor Mahkamova managed to carry all her products out before the fire reached her store.

“We found out at home that there was a fire in the shopping complex. I was looking after my grandson at home. My son and daughter-in-law were in the market at that time. I arrived at the store immediately. The situation was really terrible. With the help of acquaintances, we were able to take out all the items in the store.

Fortunately, the fire did not reach our store. After carrying the clothes outside, we rushed to help familiar shopkeepers. Some dishonest people ran away with the bags in our hands under the pretext of helping,” she said.

Businessman Muslima Kuldasheva, whose shop was destroyed by fire, said that she is worried that the space reserved for her shop will be sold to others.

“I found out about the fire at 19:00. The streets were congested. Businessmen hurriedly tried to get their clothes out of the fire.

When we got to the market, they didn’t let us in. My mother also sells perfume and diapers near my shop. My mother has been trading for 25 years, and I have been trading in this market for 5 years. Some of our products were stolen. Some were burned to ashes. At least 40-50 million worth of goods were in our store. We did not have time to transport the clothes outside. We endure the burning of the goods, but the main issue is that they will sell the places belonging to us to others,” she said.

Businessmen trading in the market said that before the fire, electrical welding work was carried out in some shops at 17:00.

According to the information of the Prosecutor General’s Office, a criminal case was initiated under Article 259 of the Criminal Code (violation of fire safety regulations) regarding the fire that occurred in shopping complexes.

Investigations are currently being carried out by the Investigative Department under the Fergana regional DIA.