A devastating fire ripped through a crowded neighbourhood in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), late Sunday night, killing at least 14 people and leaving dozens injured or homeless. The tragic incident occurred in the Mosala/Funu area of the Kadutu commune, one of the most densely populated and impoverished districts of the city.
The Incident
According to eyewitnesses, the fire began shortly after midnight on October 26, 2025, and spread rapidly through the area. Most of the houses in the neighbourhood were constructed from wood and corrugated iron sheets, materials that catch fire easily. Residents were jolted awake by the crackling of flames and shouts from neighbours as the blaze engulfed homes in a matter of minutes.
Local resident Jean-Paul Ntabaza told reporters that he woke up to thick smoke and struggled to escape with his wife and two children. “By the time we got out, half of the street was already burning. People were screaming for help, but the fire spread too fast. Many couldn’t make it out,” he said.
Firefighters were called to the scene, but they arrived nearly an hour later due to narrow roads and limited access for fire trucks. By the time the flames were brought under control, several houses were completely destroyed, and 14 lives were lost — including women, children, and the elderly.
Victims and Damage
Local authorities confirmed the death toll early Monday morning. Two families were completely wiped out — a mother and her four children in one house, and an elderly couple and their grandchildren in another. Many survivors lost everything they owned.
The Red Cross of Bukavu immediately mobilized teams to assist in recovery efforts, retrieve bodies, and offer first aid to the injured. Dozens of people were rushed to Bukavu General Hospital and Panzi Hospital for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation.
Eyewitnesses reported that the flames were so intense that some victims were unable to escape their homes. “We tried to break doors and windows, but the fire was too strong,” said another survivor. “It’s heartbreaking — people were screaming inside, but we couldn’t save them.”
In total, more than 20 homes were completely destroyed, displacing at least 70 residents, according to local civil society organizations.
Cause of the Fire
The exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation, but preliminary reports point to an electrical short circuit as the likely cause. Many houses in Bukavu’s informal settlements use illegal or poorly installed electrical connections, increasing the risk of fires.
Kadutu’s chief administrator, François Byamungu, told journalists that “overloaded electrical wiring and unsafe power lines” were common in the neighbourhood. “People connect electricity themselves because they can’t afford official installation. Unfortunately, this leads to tragedies like this.”
Residents have long complained about frequent electrical sparks and overloaded transformers in the area, but officials say a lack of resources and urban planning has made it difficult to implement preventive measures.
Emergency Response and Rescue Efforts
Emergency responders, including the South Kivu Fire Brigade, local youth groups, and the Congolese Red Cross, worked through the night to control the fire and recover bodies from the debris. However, their efforts were hampered by poor infrastructure.
Narrow, unpaved roads prevented fire engines from reaching the heart of the neighbourhood. Most firefighters had to rely on handheld hoses, buckets, and improvised water containers. Many residents joined in, forming human chains to pass water from nearby wells to the burning houses.
Despite their efforts, the intensity of the fire and the tightly packed homes made rescue operations extremely difficult. The fire was finally extinguished by dawn, but by then, entire rows of homes were reduced to ash.
Government and Community Reaction
The Governor of South Kivu Province, Théo Ngwabidje Kasi, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and visited the site on Monday afternoon. He promised government support for the affected families and announced an emergency fund to help rebuild homes.
“I extend my condolences to the families of the victims,” he said. “The provincial government will assist survivors with food, temporary shelter, and medical support. We will also work to improve fire safety and infrastructure in Bukavu’s vulnerable areas.”
Local NGOs and churches have already begun mobilizing donations of clothing, food, and bedding for those who lost their homes. The Catholic Diocese of Bukavu opened its community hall to shelter displaced families temporarily.
Recurring Urban Disasters in Bukavu
This is not the first time Bukavu has been hit by a deadly fire. The city, perched on the shores of Lake Kivu, has seen dozens of similar incidents in recent years. Rapid population growth, informal housing, and a lack of regulation have made fire outbreaks a persistent danger.
In 2023, a similar fire in Nyamugo district destroyed more than 50 homes, though no deaths were reported. In 2022, another blaze in Kadutu killed six people and injured many others.
Experts blame poor urban planning, unregulated construction, and weak enforcement of safety codes for the recurring disasters. Many residents build houses close together with flammable materials, and access roads are too narrow for fire trucks.
Broader Issues and Risks
The tragedy also highlights broader challenges facing the eastern DRC, including weak infrastructure, limited emergency capacity, and ongoing instability due to the presence of armed groups in the region.
In South Kivu and neighbouring North Kivu, decades of conflict have drained public resources that could have been used to improve safety systems. Fire stations often lack water, fuel, and functioning equipment.
Analysts say the Bukavu fire exposes the urgent need for the Congolese government to invest in disaster preparedness, urban planning, and community education.
Voices from the Ground
Local humanitarian worker Marie Mukwege said that beyond aid, residents need training in fire prevention and safety. “We can’t just respond after people die,” she said. “We need community awareness programs about electrical safety, safe cooking, and emergency evacuation.”
Residents also called for stronger regulation of power distribution and for better housing standards. “We live in danger every day,” said a local shopkeeper. “When one house burns, all the others go with it. We need help from the authorities to build safely.”
Rebuilding and Hope
By Tuesday morning, residents had begun clearing debris, salvaging anything they could — pots, metal sheets, furniture fragments — to rebuild their lives. Humanitarian agencies have started setting up temporary shelters using tarpaulins and tents.
Several survivors have vowed to stay in the area despite the tragedy, saying they have nowhere else to go. “This is our home,” one woman said tearfully. “We will rebuild because life must go on.”
Conclusion
The deadly Bukavu fire serves as a painful reminder of the vulnerability of millions of people living in unsafe housing conditions across the DRC. Fourteen lives were lost, but the disaster also reignited debate about the urgent need for urban safety reforms.
As the city mourns its dead, questions linger: could these lives have been saved with better planning and infrastructure? For now, the people of Bukavu face the long road to recovery, united by grief but also by resilience — determined to rebuild, and to hope that such tragedy will never strike again.
