Blaze engulfs Ndayizamba Gallery and Le Parisien in the capital’s commercial hub, with firefighters battling flames for hours
A devastating fire ripped through two of Bujumbura’s largest shopping galleries in the early hours of Friday morning, sending thick plumes of black smoke over the city centre and leaving traders and residents in a state of shock.
The fire broke out at approximately 6:00 a.m. local time at the Ndayizamba Gallery, a bustling commercial building in the heart of the capital, before flames quickly spread to the neighbouring Le Parisien Gallery. According to eyewitness accounts from security guards at the scene, the blaze started on the upper floor of the Ndayizamba building.
By 9:15 a.m., more than three hours after the fire was first reported, the flames had still not been brought under control. Firefighters and civil protection police were deployed to the site in an effort to contain the inferno and prevent further spread to adjacent buildings.
Initial reports indicate that Le Parisien Gallery appears to have suffered the most extensive damage. The two galleries, located in close proximity near the headquarters of REGIDESO (the national water and electricity utility), are among the most prominent commercial centres in Bujumbura, housing hundreds of small businesses, clothing shops, and retail outlets.
Local journalists on the ground reported that as of 8:00 a.m., the fire continued to ravage the structures, with firefighters struggling to gain the upper hand. The intensity of the blaze and the density of the commercial area posed significant challenges to emergency responders.
The cause of the fire remains unknown at this stage. No official report has been issued regarding possible casualties or the full extent of the damage. Authorities have yet to release a formal statement on the incident.
The absence of an official toll has left traders and the public anxiously awaiting news about the fate of shop owners and workers who may have been inside the buildings when the fire started.
Friday’s blaze is the latest in a series of devastating fires that have struck markets and commercial centres across Burundi in recent months. In less than seven months, at least five major fires have ravaged strategic markets in Bujumbura and the provinces, raising urgent questions about fire prevention, safety protocols, and the management of market infrastructure.
In May 2026, the Kinama market in Bujumbura was consumed by flames, prompting a visit from the Bujumbura province governor to assess the damage. Just last month, in July 2026, a violent fire destroyed the central market of Ngozi in northern Burundi, with flames continuing into the following day. That incident claimed one life and destroyed approximately 80 per cent of the market’s stalls.
The Ndayizamba and Le Parisien galleries themselves have been hit by fires before. In June 2017, a fire erupted at the Ndayizamba Gallery, destroying shops and sewing machines. In July 2022, another blaze broke out inside Le Parisien Gallery. The recurrence of such incidents has fueled calls for stricter safety regulations and better fire prevention measures.
The destruction of the two galleries represents a severe economic blow to hundreds of traders who depend on these commercial spaces for their livelihoods. Many shop owners had invested their life savings in their businesses, and the full extent of the losses is yet to be determined.
The Bujumbura city centre, where the galleries are located, serves as a vital commercial hub for the capital, and the loss of these two major shopping centres is expected to have ripple effects throughout the local economy.
Calls for Investigation
As the community grapples with yet another devastating fire, there are growing calls for a thorough investigation into the cause of the blaze and for authorities to implement stronger safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
The repeated nature of such incidents has led some observers to question whether adequate fire safety systems are in place in Burundi’s commercial buildings and whether existing regulations are being enforced.
