Moroccan market fire injures 31

According to reports coming in from Taourirt (450 kilometres east of Rabat), a massive fire has swept through a local souk (bazaar).The fire happened on Tuesday, but reports are only just beginning to make the amount of damage clear.

Local police say the fire broke out in the Al-Qods souk in the early afternoon and although fire-fighters were quick to respond it took four hours to bring the blaze under control.

Along with the injuries sustained by 31 people, the fire also destroyed some 1700 stalls in the souk. The cause of the fire is still unknown and authorities are investigating. There is no information on the condition of those injured.

Souk fires are said to be common in Morocco

The covered market of the Al-Qods souk was around 28,000 square metres (300,000 square feet) had more than 2,000 stalls and with 1700 destroyed, locals say it will take a long time for it to return to normal.