Ouagadougou: A fire that erupted in the early hours of Tuesday at the Grand Market in Bobo-Dioulasso has prompted serious safety concerns due to its impact on a store dealing in pesticides, herbicides, and plant protection products. The President of the Special Municipal Delegation (PDS), Laurent Kontogom, has issued an urgent plea for caution among local residents, merchants, and others frequenting the area due to risks of “poisoning and contamination.”
According to Burkina Information Agency, an administrative communiqu from the PDS of Bobo-Dioulasso, received on Tuesday evening, detailed that the fire began around 2 a.m. in the Diarradougou district, sector 1, primarily affecting the store stocked with potentially hazardous chemicals. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze swiftly, yet a significant amount of pesticides and other chemicals were destroyed in the process.
The statement from the PDS revealed that environmental and agricultural services conducted initial investigations, confirming that the fire-fighting efforts released highly toxic substances, posing a danger to both health and the environment. As a result, precautionary measures, including the temporary closure of surrounding businesses and the establishment of a security perimeter, have been implemented to mitigate risks of poisoning and contamination.
A crisis team has been formed at Bobo-Dioulasso Town Hall to coordinate interventions, assess associated risks, and propose measures for site security and management. Kontogom has called for strict adherence to safety instructions and urged people to avoid the affected area.
The statement further highlighted the importance of not crossing the security perimeter, handling or moving products, or coming into contact with contaminated materials. Shops and residential properties within the perimeter will remain closed until the emergency state is lifted. The Department of Security and Defense has assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to manage chemical risks and ensure safety. The cooperation of the public is crucial during this time, and the authorities express gratitude for the support received from the community.