Fire breaks out at Musanze’s Goico Market, Traders face heavy losses
A fire broke out at Musanze’s Goico Market on October 10, affecting the fourth and fifth floors and raising fears of major losses for traders.
A major fire broke out at Goico Market in Musanze District on Saturday afternoon, October 10, affecting the upper floors of the commercial building and raising concerns over potential losses for hundreds of traders.
The fire reportedly started between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. local time, with witnesses saying the flames originated on the fifth floor before spreading to the fourth floor.
Residents said the cause of the fire was not immediately known. Traders and other occupants rushed out of the building as the flames spread, prioritising their safety amid fears that merchandise stored inside could be destroyed.
The affected section of the market reportedly houses tailors and second-hand clothing businesses, with traders fearing substantial financial losses.
“People are distressed because they have lost their property. I suspect those operating on the upper floors may not have managed to retrieve anything,” one resident said.
The Rwanda National Police's Fire and Rescue Brigade responded to the scene and worked to contain the blaze. By around 4:30 p.m., flames were still visible on the fourth and fifth floors, although witnesses later reported that the fire had begun to weaken.
Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, were also seen at the scene. However, reports of possible injuries had not been independently confirmed at the time of reporting.
The incident also disrupted traffic along the Musanze–Kigali road as large crowds gathered near the market. Police officers reportedly regulated the movement of vehicles to reduce congestion and prevent possible accidents.
Musanze District Mayor Claudien Nsengimana was contacted for information about the incident and said he would provide further details later.
🚨 BREAKING: A fire has engulfed GOICO Plaza, one of Musanze’s major markets #Rwanda. 🇷🇼 More details to follow. https://t.co/Acex2qpiy9
— Kigali Daily News (@kigalidailynews) October 10, 2026
A major commercial hub in Musanze
Goico Market was built in 2017 by Gorilla Investment Company (GOICO), a business consortium bringing together 89 private investors from Musanze District. The project reportedly cost approximately Rwf 7.5 billion.
The multi-storey commercial complex accommodates businesses selling a wide range of goods, including clothing and electronic equipment. It also houses banks and supermarkets, making it an important commercial centre in Rwanda’s Northern Province.
More than 1,550 traders operate at the market, which receives an estimated 25,000 visitors daily.
The full extent of the damage, the cause of the fire and the financial losses suffered by traders remained unclear as emergency teams continued responding to the incident.
