A large fire broke out early Wednesday morning at the Borjomi Railway Station market in Tbilisi, destroying several shops and forcing a temporary closure of one of the city’s busiest local trade hubs. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with early speculation pointing to an electrical fault.
Background
The Borjomi Railway Station market, located near the Didube district, has been a vital commercial center for decades, especially for small traders and local farmers selling food, clothing, and household goods. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and accessibility, the market also serves as an informal meeting point for commuters using nearby transport links.
The Incident
Emergency services were alerted around 5:15 am on Wednesday. The Emergency Management Service said over a dozen fire engines were dispatched to contain the flames, which engulfed a significant portion of the western wing of the market. The fire was brought under control after more than three hours, with no casualties reported.
However, initial estimates suggest that dozens of vendors lost their stalls and merchandise in the blaze. Smoke was visible from several kilometers away.
Reactions from Authorities
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze expressed his concern and promised swift assistance:
“This is a tragic blow to hardworking citizens who depend on this market for their livelihoods. We are mobilizing all necessary resources to support affected families and investigate the cause thoroughly.”
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze visited the scene later in the day and vowed to launch a reconstruction initiative:
“Our priority is to rebuild what was lost as quickly as possible. We’ll ensure that traders can return to work in a safe, modernized environment. A detailed reconstruction plan will be unveiled within the next 10 days.”
Traders React
Many traders who arrived at the market in the aftermath of the fire were in tears as they tried to assess the damage.
“I lost everything — all my stock was new for the holiday season,” said Maia Tsiklauri, who has run a clothing stall at the market for over 12 years. “There was no warning, no help in time. We need answers and real support, not just promises.”
Another vendor, Levan Grdzelidze, echoed her frustration: “This market feeds hundreds of families. We’re not just worried about our goods — we’re worried about our futures. We need compensation and a proper fire prevention system when it’s rebuilt.”
What’s Next?
City officials confirmed that a temporary market space would be provided nearby for affected traders, and compensation measures are being discussed. An official investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, with results expected in the coming days.
As authorities assess the damage and traders count their losses, the incident has reignited debates about market safety standards and infrastructure conditions in Georgia’s capital.
Fires at marketplaces across Georgia have become strangely frequent in recent years. In 2021 and 2022, a major fire broke out at the “Eliava Market,” leaving many vendors without their means of livelihood. There were even suspicions that the fires had been deliberately set to serve business interests. However, the investigation did not confirm these suspicions, attributing the fires to negligence instead. Vendors who suffered severe losses received only 3,000 GEL each in compensation.
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