By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

A massive fire that ravaged parts of Dalol district in Ethiopia’s Afar region, destroying numerous homes and businesses, has been brought under control through the combined efforts of local communities and government responders.

The blaze, which erupted on Thursday afternoon, swept through Da-Admurug kebele within the Dalol woreda. Ismail Ali, the district’s administrator, confirmed to Xinhua (and implicitly ETV, as per the original snippet) that the inferno caused extensive damage, completely burning down an estimated 600 shops, 950 restaurants, and 255 houses. The woreda administration also reported the loss of numerous pets in the disaster.

While the fire is now fully controlled, the exact cause and the precise number of casualties beyond property and pets remain unclear, according to Administrator Ali. Emergency assistance is currently being mobilized and received from neighboring districts and the regional disaster management commission to support the residents whose properties were destroyed.

Initial reports from “yesterday” (July 18) had suggested the fire originated from a restaurant, but the administrator’s most recent statements indicate the cause is still under investigation. The swift cooperation between the affected community and government entities was crucial in containing the widespread conflagration.