Nyala, February 25 (Darfur24)
Residents in the town of Um Mushtour, part of Al-Salam locality south of Nyala in South Darfur State, reported extensive damage after a massive fire swept through the area on Monday, leaving minor injuries among residents and killing hundreds of livestock.
Salah al-Din Hussein, a resident of the town, told Darfur24 that the blaze, which broke out in the Absalala administrative unit, destroyed 357 houses and caused minor injuries to several residents who were treated at nearby health centers.
He added that the fire also devastated crops and consumed household furniture, utensils, cash, and other personal belongings.
Another resident said the area had experienced a similar incident in early January that destroyed 33 houses, compounding the hardship facing families already hosting hundreds of displaced people from various parts of Sudan.
The resident noted that Um Mushtour, which borders Tulus locality, is among the region’s key livestock watering areas, where livelihoods largely depend on grazing. The fire reportedly led to the death of dozens of livestock, in addition to donkeys and horses.
Residents appealed to national and international humanitarian organizations for urgent assistance, saying many families are now sleeping in valleys and nearby forests under extremely difficult conditions, particularly affecting children, women, and elderly people.
Eyewitnesses said residents of neighboring villages rushed to provide emergency food assistance to those affected, many of whom lost both homes and livelihoods.
Yassir Ahmed, another eyewitness, told Darfur24 the fire erupted while most residents were attending the town’s weekly market, which draws people from dozens of villages across Kutum, Tulus, and Al-Salam localities.
According to residents, the fire is believed to have started in a house in the eastern part of the town, with strong winds contributing to its rapid spread.
Communities across Darfur and Kordofan frequently experience fires during the winter season, often linked to strong winds and the widespread use of highly flammable materials such as straw in house construction.