Um Dukhun, February 04 (Darfur24)
More than 10 people were injured and dozens of homes damaged after a fire broke out on Tuesday evening in the city of Um Dukhun, Central Darfur State, residents and officials said.
Residents reported that the fire erupted in residential areas south of the mountain in Um Dukhun, a city bordering Chad and the Central African Republic, causing injuries ranging from minor to moderate and inflicting heavy material losses.
Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Doud, a resident, told Darfur24 that the blaze destroyed large sections of homes in the area, injuring more than 10 people and causing significant losses, including livestock, carts, household utensils, furniture and cash.
He said residents attempted to extinguish the fire, but strong winds contributed to its rapid spread. He suggested the fire may have been caused by children playing with fire near the mountain.
Separately, the Central Darfur Emergency Chambers Council said in a statement that the fire caused extensive and “irreplaceable” property damage, in addition to burn injuries among several residents who rushed to contain the flames.
The council confirmed, on its official Facebook page, that no deaths were recorded, but it completely destroyed about eight residential blocks, estimated at roughly 200 houses, and partially damaged around 30 others.
According to the council, preliminary assessments indicate the fire was caused by domestic negligence involving children, describing the incident as one of the largest fires the locality has witnessed since 2022.
The Emergency Chambers Council expressed solidarity with the affected families and said it is working with local emergency rooms and partners to assess urgent needs and coordinate a humanitarian response. It also urged residents to strengthen safety measures inside homes, avoid leaving children unattended near fire sources, and promptly report fires or potential hazards.
Um Dukhun experiences recurrent fires each year, causing significant losses, due to the lack of fire-control measures and the scarcity of fire engines. During the winter season, towns across Darfur and Kordofan are particularly vulnerable to fires because of strong winds and the widespread use of highly flammable local building materials, such as straw.