Douala-Cameroon: Billions of Francs CFA lost in ravaging Fire

It was about 1:45am today when flames erupted from a shop containing cotton around Messa Presse at the Douala Port, drawing the attention of the nearby population.

Attempts by locals to put off the fire proved futile as the flames proved stronger. The fire fighting brigade that was called came one hour later but ran short of water, leaving about 50 containers at the mercy of the fire.

By 4:30 am when the fire fighters returned, the entire shop was razed to ashes Administrative and municipal authorities were there 6am to evaluate the damages which is estimated at 4billion francs CFA. Judicial police in Douala have opened investigations to determine the cause of the inferno.