Goma, 20 February 2012 – At least a dozen wooden and concrete houses and shops caught fire during the night of Monday, 19 February in the district of Mabanga Sud, in Goma, the capital of Nord Kivu province. The damage caused by the fire included one pharmacy and one pub. With the help of the fire brigade of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUCSO), the blaze was brought under control, sparing three other near-by large pharmacies.

The fire was caused by an electric short circuit. No loss of life was reported, according to information received from MONUSCO's Indian Formed Police Unit that was at the scene of the blaze. Several families, however, were left without a home.

The local population, through the head of the provincial department for civilian protection, Joseph Makundi, applauded MONUSCO's attempt to save lives and property.

A total of 27 cases of fire have been reported in the city of Goma since early 2012, making 78 families homeless, and causing them to live now in appalling conditions. According to provincial administrative officials, population growth and construction works without proper planning are the root cause of the fire incidents witnessed in this city.

William Elachi/MONUSCO