 After plundering and burning down the palace the rebels continued their advance, proceeding through Basra via the Mirbad Road; they gradually spread throughout the city, killing and plundering as they went and burning several neighborhoods to the ground.As the battle continued throughout the day, many Basrans began to fear that the Zanj could not be repulsed.A large number fled to their homes or to the city mosque, defying pleas to fight against the rebels.