By Hou Akot Hou
Fire destroyed over 10 houses in the Ayuang residential area of Aweil Town, Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, on Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred near the Norwegian Refugee Committee’s compound, according to eyewitnesses.
“It is shocking to lose our belongings, which included mattresses, a Premio vehicle, and money. It all happened so suddenly that no one had the chance to save much,” narrated Garang Dut, a resident of Ayuang, recounting the devastating experience.
Dut added that the firefighting team arrived quickly to contain the blaze but attributed the incident to negligence among residents.
“People often forget that fire has become a serious issue in Aweil, occurring every year. Many leave fires unattended, especially around small children who may not understand the potential dangers,” said Lual, a local resident.
The Civil Defense Department has been issuing warnings to the public about the dangers of thatching tukuls (traditional huts) with makeshift materials, as they are especially vulnerable to fire during the dry season when strong winds are common.
They urge residents to use brick for construction and to thatch roofs with grass, even in difficult economic times.
Attempts to contact the director of Civil Defense for further information have been unsuccessful, as authorities continue to assess the damage.
Last month, residents of Medira 1 in Aweil Town also suffered significant losses due to fire, which officials attributed to carelessness.
This pattern has become alarmingly common in Aweil Town and throughout the state, as many lost property in previous fire incidents in areas such as Maper, Akot, Aru, Udhum, and Peth Lou this year alone.