A devastating fire engulfed Tehran's historic Grand Jannat Bazaar in the early hours of Friday, reducing 263 stalls to ashes and leaving local merchants reeling. The blaze in Jannat Abad neighborhood marks one of the Iranian capital's most destructive market incidents this year, with firefighters working through the night to prevent further spread.
While authorities confirmed no casualties, shop owners described watching decades of work vanish in hours. "This was more than a stall – it was our family's inheritance," said one textile vendor, echoing sentiments of economic despair amid Iran's ongoing inflation challenges.
The incident highlights vulnerabilities in urban market infrastructure across Asia's rapidly growing cities. Economic analysts note the fire compounds existing pressures on Iran's private sector, already strained by international sanctions and currency fluctuations.
Municipal officials have pledged compensation investigations, but reconstruction timelines remain unclear. The bazaar, a hub for textiles and household goods, served both local residents and international traders from across West Asia.
