Fire in the “Uch Qahramon” bazaar brings damage to citizens worth 74 billion soums 

A fire broke out in the “Uch Qahramon” bazaar on August 11 this year in the Tashkent district, Tashkent. It has been confirmed that the incident caused damages amounting to 74 billion soums. This was announced by the mayor of Tashkent region, Zoir Mirzayev, during a meeting with entrepreneurs and employees in the bazaar’s territory on August 14.

According to initial reports, material damage amounting to 74 billion soums was inflicted on society and citizens. A criminal case has been initiated under Article 259, part 2, paragraph “b” of the Criminal Code by the Tashkent district Internal Affairs Department and has been registered by the Investigation Department under the Tashkent region Internal Affairs Directorate. The fire is believed to have resulted from an electrical wiring failure (excessive load, high impedance) between two shops on the right side of the bazaar.

To determine the cause of the fire, experts, fire institute staff, and other specialists from the Expertise Center named after X. Sulaymonova were deployed to the site, and a comprehensive forensic examination was appointed by the court regarding the collected physical evidence. As a result of the incident, it was found that 78 entrepreneurs (106 shops) in Bloc A, 11 entrepreneurs (19 shops) in Bloc C, and 48 entrepreneurs (56 shops) in Bloc E — a total of 137 entrepreneurs (181 entrepreneur-run shops and 76 vacant shops) — suffered losses.

Led by the district administration’s societal body, initiatives were taken to support 165 affected entrepreneurs. A total of 63 vacant shops were allocated to 125 entrepreneurs rent-free for two months to allow them to continue operating on August 12 and 13 this year.

Of these:

• 56 shops (12 sq. m each) accommodate 2 entrepreneurs each, totaling 112 entrepreneurs;

• 2 shops (24 sq. m each) accommodate 4 entrepreneurs each, totaling 8 entrepreneurs;

• 5 shops (9 sq. m each) accommodate 1 entrepreneur each, totaling 5 entrepreneurs.

Eight entrepreneurs refused to accept the aid, stating they would no longer continue their businesses. Four entrepreneurs expressed willingness to receive shops but had not yet submitted appeals.

It was also stated that the construction of a major infrastructure facility for the metro will commence on March 1, 2026. Comments provided by the head of the Tashkent Metro System, Rahmonbek Usmanov, were delivered to entrepreneurs by Zoir Mirzayev.

According to Mirzayev, the relocation of affected entrepreneurs to undamaged parts of the bazaar will begin on August 15, and the bazaar will resume operations from August 17.

“I will return on the day the bazaar reopens and speak with each entrepreneur. Representatives will be selected among the entrepreneurs, and the distribution of shops will be carried out fairly under their supervision,” the mayor said.

According to the General Prosecutor of the region, Azamat Mirzayev, 40 investigators have been mobilized to determine the details of the incident and provide a legal assessment. Rapid investigative and detective operations are being conducted in the bazaar’s area by a mobile task force.