Urban Terminal Traders Left Ruined after Fourth Fire in 4 Years

Traders at the Victoria Urban Terminal have been left in financial ruin after a devastating fire destroyed four stalls on Saturday night, marking the fourth such blaze to strike the site in as many years.

The incident, which occurred on the evening of 28 March, has reignited urgent safety concerns among the Port-Louis terminal’s 550 vendors.

While no casualties were reported, the financial toll is catastrophic, with victims facing massive losses and no prospect of compensation.

“A Blow Too Many”

Hydar Ryman, spokesperson for the traders, expressed the community’s bitterness over the recurring disasters.

“In four years, we have suffered four fires,” he said, calling on the government and municipality to provide better protection.

The repetition of these fires has raised serious questions regarding the structural safety of the capital’s market.

Traders are demanding to know how such a frequently used site can suffer four outbreaks in such a short period without significant safety interventions.

Financial Devastation

For the stall owners, the fire is a life-altering event.

• Anand Goind, whose stand was completely razed, estimated his losses between 400,000 MUR and 600,000 MUR. His entire stock of socks, towels, and linens was destroyed.
• Another trader, speaking anonymously, revealed they are now saddled with a 600,000 MUR debt after taking out a loan to purchase stock that has since “gone up in smoke.”

The Insurance Gap

Despite paying monthly rent, the traders have discovered they have no safety net.

According to Mr Ryman, the insurance policy held by the Victoria Urban Terminal covers only the building’s infrastructure. It does not extend to the traders’ individual stocks or goods.

Frustrated by the lack of institutional support, the spokesperson warned that if authorities do not act, the merchants may be forced to organise their own independent protection plan.

Current Status of the Terminal

Following a clean-up operation, the terminal’s ground floor was authorised to reopen on Sunday, 29 March, at 1:00 pm.

While the Winner’s supermarket and ground-level shops have resumed business, several key areas remain closed to the public:

• The Market and Food Court
• The Metro Express pedestrian bridge
• The Car Park

For the 550 families depending on the market for their livelihoods, the wait for a concrete response regarding fire prevention and appropriate insurance continues.

Source: l’Express