Musanze: Traders at Goico Market barred from entering.

Musanze District Mayor Claudien Nsengimana has asked those whose property was damaged in the fire that struck the GOICO market building in Musanze town to refrain from entering the premises until an assessment of the damage has been conducted.

He made this statement on October 11 while visiting the site of the fire to offer his sympathies to the traders and others who worked there.

He said, "We ask you to refrain from entering the building. Even if you managed to get out safely yesterday, entering today could result in injury from falling metal or glass."

He urged people to be patient and allow the relevant authorities to inspect the building before the traders go in to see if any of their goods survived.

He added, "When the situation is under control, we will inform you and grant permission through the proper administrative channels."

Mayor Nsengimana also commended the Police Fire and Rescue Brigade for their professional conduct in extinguishing the blaze and minimizing the damage.

Reports from IGIHE indicate that the fire was caused by individuals welding metal; it started in the central part of the building and began spreading to various other sections.

As it spread, it reached flammable materials—such as mattresses and oils—causing the fire to intensify and expand rapidly.

So far, the number of people affected by the fire has not yet been determined. This market was built in 2017 by GOICO (Gorilla Investment Company)—a venture involving 89 private sector investors from Musanze District—at a cost of approximately 7.5 billion Rwandan Francs.

It is a five-story building housing various businesses, including clothing and electronics shops, as well as banks and supermarkets.

Over 1,550 traders operate within the market, which attracts a daily footfall of around 25,000 people.