Scorched history in Aleppo

Hundreds of shops are in flames in the ancient covered market of the Old City of Aleppo Saturday. The flames threaten to destroy a UNESCO world heritage site.

The video, which could not be independently verified by Reuters, comes as activists say the fire may have been started by heavy shelling and gunfire Friday. As many as 1,000 shops had been destroyed so far.

An estimated 30,000 people have been killed in the conflict. Beyond the human cost of the uprising, many of Syria's historic treasures have fallen victim to the 18-month-old conflict.

On Thursday, rebels fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad announced a new offensive in Aleppo. But so far neither side appears to have made significant gains in Syria's largest city.

The British-based Observatory for Human Rights says government forces and rebels are blaming each other for the blaze.