Nyala, February 13 (Darfur24)
Two major fires that struck separate communities west and south of Nyala in South Darfur State this week destroyed homes, injured residents, and caused heavy material losses, deepening humanitarian needs for affected families, according to eyewitnesses and local officials.
A large fire swept through parts of Bulbul Dalal Anqara town, about 36 kilometers west of Nyala, on Thursday. Residents said the flames spread rapidly, injuring two people and destroying five houses and 33 huts, in addition to burning crops and personal belongings.
Omar Abdullah, a resident of the town, told Darfur24 that the speed of the fire left families little time to salvage their possessions. Fatima, one of the affected residents, said she lost all household property and stored crops in the blaze.
A local leader in Al-Salam locality described the incident as a humanitarian setback affecting more than 20 families in urgent need of shelter materials, clothing, household utensils, and psychosocial support. Preliminary estimates place losses at more than 10 million Sudanese pounds, including livestock and cash crops.
Earlier in the week, another fire tore through the Karari neighborhood south of Nyala, completely destroying nine homes and causing losses estimated in the millions of pounds.
Mohammed Al-Hadi, a volunteer assisting with rebuilding efforts, said community members mobilized to provide straw, mats, wooden supports, and financial donations to help affected families. He attributed the rapid spread of the fire to the absence of firefighting teams, water shortages, and the fact that many residents were away at markets when the blaze began.
According to Al-Hadi, the Karari fire also destroyed three vehicles, seven water carts, and quantities of stored crops including peanuts, millet, and okra, in addition to furniture, household items, and cash kept inside homes.
Na’ama Ishaq, whose sister was affected, said her relative escaped with only the clothes she was wearing after losing all her belongings.
Halima Al-Mahdi, Director General of Social Welfare at the Rapid Support Forces’ civil administration in South Darfur, said more than nine families were left without possessions. She noted that authorities conducted an initial damage assessment and plan to compensate each affected family with 1.8 million Sudanese pounds, alongside a public donation campaign.
Recent weeks have seen similar fire incidents in several Darfur communities, including Um Dukhun, Qurayda, Souq Singo, and Atash Camp. Local observers say such fires are common during the winter season across Darfur and Kordofan, driven by strong winds and the widespread use of flammable building materials in traditional housing.