Afghan capital grapples with aftermath of huge market fire

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Residents of the Afghan capital are grappling with the aftermath of a massive blaze that destroyed hundreds of stores at a market in central Kabul.

A fire department official says the fire was still smoldering on Friday, more than 12 hours after an apparent electrical fault started the blaze.

Zakrullah Zahid, communications officer at the Kabul fire department, said firefighters were "keeping a close watch and still pouring water on some of the stores that were still burning this morning."

There were no reported injuries in the blaze that began after 6 p.m. local time when most of the stores selling electronics and household appliances were closed.

The fire consumed more than 600 businesses, causing millions of dollars in damage. Investigators are at the scene, trying to determine the cause.