Baghdad Civil Defense says fire at Bab Sharqi warehouse extinguished without casualties

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Baghdad's Civil Defense Directorate said a fire that broke out at a commercial warehouse in the central Bab Sharqi district has been extinguished, with no casualties reported. The 200-square-meter warehouse, used for trading electrical appliances, was constructed from zinc panels and did not comply with safety regulations, the directorate said. Twelve firefighting teams responded to the blaze, and officials said rapid field action prevented the flames from spreading to neighboring shops. The directorate added that the building's most recent safety inspection was carried out in May 2026, after which the relevant commission issued a clear recommendation that the structure be demolished and rebuilt. The Civil Defense Directorate said warehouse operators had responded slowly to warnings, a factor it linked to the fire's outbreak. The fire caused only material damage, with no injuries reported, according to the directorate.