Kazakhstan’s Astana Market Fire Leaves Three Firefighters Injured

A massive blaze that tore through the Big Shankhai market in Kazakhstan’s Astana early morning has left three firefighters injured, including one hospitalized with a brain contusion and concussion.

The Kazakh Emergency Situations Ministry announced that the fire that broke out on Alash Highway in the Baikonyr district was successfully localized, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

The blaze, which erupted in a three-storey market building, prompted the rapid deployment of over 100 firefighters and 60 fire engines from the Emergency Situations Department and local authorities.

A command post was swiftly established at the scene, with reinforced water supply systems deployed to combat the flames.

Officials reported that by the time crews arrived, the fire had already engulfed all three floors of the market. Thermal imaging revealed that exterior wall temperatures exceeded 800°C, said Kanat Altynbekov, Deputy Head of Astana’s Emergency Situations Department.

Authorities stated that the delayed reporting of the incident contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, which also posed a serious threat to the neighboring Orda Market, connected by a walkway.

Efforts to extinguish the flames were complicated by the high combustible load inside the building, and the exact area affected by the fire is still being assessed.