20 Jan
Two days after the Yadanapon Market was damaged in a fire, officials announced yesterday that the market would be reopened soon.
A team led by Mandalay’s Deputy Mayor yesterday inspected the market’s first floor, which was engulfed by a fire on the night of 17 January. About half of the 150 shops on the first floor were damaged in the fire.
“We have inspected the durability of the building. Now, arrangements are being made by the Mandalay City Development Committee to reopen the market soon,” said U Ye Mon, Deputy Mayor of Mandalay.
“Now, engineers are inspecting the market. It could take about four days to complete the checks. When their report comes out, we will arrange the reopening,” he added. Shop owners were allowed to enter their shops yesterday so they could check their property.
Smoke from soundproof rooms that caught fire on the first floor had slowed firefighters as they tried to put out the blaze.
Diamond Plaza, which is located next to the Yadanapon Market, has also been closed for an electrical inspection, and it will reopen after the inspection is completed, according to the MCDC.
The massive fire at the Mall started on 17 January– fire services personnel with nearly 200 fire engines tried to put out the fire for hours.
The fire was contained at 2:02 a.m. on 18 January and extinguished at 5:03 a.m. Five services personnel suffered minor injuries. Cause of the fire is under investigation, according to the Myanmar Fire Services Department. — Aung Thant Khaing
