Casablanca Faces Another Market Fire: Khiyam Market Goes Up in Flames Days After Sidi Othmane Disasters
Just one week after a series of fires devastated popular markets in the Sidi Othmane Moulay Rachid district—affecting the scrap market, Chtiyba, and Massira—a new blaze broke out early Thursday morning, July 3, 2025, at the Khiyam Market in the Aïn Chock district of Casablanca.
Eyewitnesses report that the fire engulfed numerous tin and wooden stalls in minutes, triggering widespread panic among merchants and residents. Thick plumes of smoke could be seen from afar, prompting the rapid deployment of firefighters and civil protection units.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined, though theories range from electrical faults to possible arson. Authorities have launched an official investigation to uncover the origins of the fire.
This recurring pattern of fires in Casablanca’s informal markets has alarmed residents and authorities alike, raising urgent questions about safety regulations, infrastructure decay, and the vulnerability of vendors. There is growing pressure on municipal leaders to modernize and secure open markets to prevent future disasters.
