Will Manama Souq Rise Again? One Year After Bahrain's Biggest Market Blaze

Daily Tribune

11-06-2025

TDT | Manama
What started as a normal day in the Kingdom turned tragic in a matter of hours.It was the middle of a typical summer when our newsroom received a call, something about a fire. Fires aren't unusual during the hot months in Manama, but this one felt different. My colleague's voice hinted at something bigger. We quickly dispatched a team to the scene, and what we witnessed was heartbreaking.
The historic Manama Souq was engulfed in flames. Civil Defence teams were battling the blaze under intense heat, working tirelessly to cool the site. Amid the chaos, a person was still trapped inside a multi-storey building, waiting for rescue.
This wasn't just any fire, it turned out to be the largest blaze in the history of the iconic Manama Souq, also known as the "Heart of Manama."
Tragically, the fire claimed the lives of a man and two women. Nine others suffered from injuries and suffocation.
A Year Later
Over a year has passed since the fire tore through 83 shops in the souq, yet little has changed. Many of the affected businesses, mostly owned by Bahrainis and run by expatriates, remain in limbo.
Our sister newspaper, Al Ayam, revisited the area recently to speak to shop owners. Most buildings still lie in ruins damaged beyond repair. Though one property owner received a violation notice earlier this year, calling for renovations, locals say the structures need to be demolished and rebuilt entirely.
'There's nothing to fix. Just rubble,' said one shop owner, pointing to a collapsed wall. 'We need a fresh start.'
For decades, traders have called this place home. Now, many are pleading for government compensation and a plan to restore the souq. 'This isn't just a market,' said an elderly vendor. 'This is the soul of Manama, where tourists, investors, and locals meet. We can't let it die.'
The delays have affected not just shop owners, but their families, especially those who relied on rental income from inherited properties.
Estimates suggest that restoring the souq could cost more than BD 10 million. Some traders have already spent up to BD 1,500 just to clear their shops of ash, debris, and ruined goods.
An elderly vendor, who has worked in the souq for over 60 years, told us, 'We've survived many challenges—but this is the worst. Just getting permit approval can take over a year.'
The Manama Souq is a hotspot for locals and tourists, especially on weekends. But now, traders say the area lacks even basic facilities like public toilets and resting spots.'People come, but they leave quickly. There's nowhere to sit, no toilets—just ruins,' said one vendor.
The fire broke out on Shaikh Abdullah Street, one of the oldest and most vibrant parts of the souq. Today, it's quiet. Walls are blackened, signs are charred, and memories hide in the ash.