A devastating fire broke out on Sunday in the historic Khan Kirdar within Kirkuk's Grand Bazaar, causing extensive material damage, according to a Civil Defense source. The blaze, which consumed numerous shops and goods, was eventually controlled by Civil Defense teams.

"The Civil Defense teams managed to control the fire," stated a source within the Civil Defense team. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.

This incident comes on the heels of a recent fire on Friday that tore through the "Tun City Markets" shopping complex in Kirkuk's Qadisiyah neighborhood. While the blaze caused partial damage, there were no reported injuries, according to a source familiar with the incident who spoke to Shafaq News. The Tun City Markets are known for selling food items to thousands of customers daily.

In recent months, similar fires have erupted in the Langa Bazaar in Erbil, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of shops. An external entity has purportedly claimed responsibility for the major fires in Erbil and has been linked to similar actions in northern Syria and Kirkuk.

Authorities are on high alert as investigations continue into the causes and potential connections between these destructive incidents.