ANTANANARIVO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least 3,500 people were affected after a fire that broke out on the night of August 2 swept through a local market in Toamasina, a port city in eastern Madagascar, said the Toamasina City Hall on Monday.
According to the city hall, the fire erupted at the Bazar Kely market, destroying nearly 90 percent of the market. Firefighters arrived at the scene eight minutes after the blaze started, but strong winds significantly hampered firefighting efforts.
Alain Andriafanomezantsoa, mayor of Toamasina, said that the municipality was holding consultations with market traders to identify their most urgent needs and coordinate the initial assistance measures for those affected. Meanwhile, the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) have provided emergency relief for the affected people.
Local authorities said that the cause of the fire remained unknown and that an official investigation would be launched to determine its exact origin.
