Confirmation of Arson at Taza’s “Qoubat Souk”: Judicial Investigation Sheds Light on Deliberate Sabotage… Engineering Recommendations to Enhance Safety

Fes News – Taza
December 6, 2025

In a post published by international civil engineer Jihane Yahyaoui on the X platform, she expressed her dual shock at the confirmation of arson at “Qoubat Souk” (Market Dome) in the old city of Taza, describing it as “a deliberate and premeditated attack targeting the city’s commercial and historical heart.” She characterized the incident as “systematic sabotage of infrastructure,” noting that the criminal act was not limited to property damage but exploited the structural fragility to cause maximum destruction.

Fire Background and Confirmation of Arson

The fire broke out at dawn on Saturday, November 29, 2025, in the historic “Qoubat Souk” shops, causing severe material losses in more than 50 commercial establishments, with the destruction of large quantities of goods and merchandise. Preliminary investigations conducted by the judicial police in Taza confirmed that the fire was arson, as it was deliberately set in one of the shops before spreading rapidly to neighboring ones due to narrow passages and the use of flammable materials. A primary suspect (a 53-year-old man) was referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office on December 2 and placed in police custody to determine the ramifications and motives, with suspicion of a sabotage network’s involvement.

Engineering Analysis: Structural Negligence Facilitates Crime

As a civil engineer, Yahyaoui emphasized that “infrastructure fragility made the market an easy target,” pointing to the main weaknesses that contributed to the rapid spread:

1. Flammable Construction Materials: Use of untreated wood and traditional materials, allowing flames to spread within minutes.
2. Absence of Automatic Detection Systems: Lack of smoke or heat detectors connected to an alarm center, delaying intervention.
3. Failure in Preventive Separation: Absence of fire barriers between shops, allowing fire to spread without obstacles.

The post sparked widespread interaction on X, garnering more than 5,000 views in hours, with comments from activists and engineers calling for a comprehensive investigation into administrative negligence.

Engineering Recommendations for Protection Against Sabotage

Yahyaoui proposed a comprehensive security engineering plan for reconstruction, focusing on transforming old cities into resilient structures:

1. Reconstruction with Enhanced Resistance:
   • Requiring non-combustible building materials with fire resistance rating of at least one full hour (Fire-rated Materials).
   • Upgrading underground electrical networks in insulated conduits to prevent tampering.
2. Active Monitoring and Prevention Systems:
   • Integrating CCTV surveillance cameras with alarm systems for continuous monitoring.
   • Activating sprinkler systems as a first line of defense.
3. Access and Intervention Development:
   • Securing fire hydrants against sabotage to ensure readiness.

These recommendations serve as a wake-up call for authorities, especially given the market’s history as a commercial and cultural landmark that underwent recent renovations without adequate preventive measures. “Fes News” will follow developments in the judicial investigation and reconstruction efforts, calling for the implementation of these recommendations to preserve urban heritage.