News / Local
Blaze ravages Mbare's Magaba SME hub
1 hr ago |
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A massive fire tore through KuMagaba in Mbare in the early hours of Friday morning, destroying dozens of small businesses and leaving more than 50 traders counting heavy losses.
The blaze, which reportedly broke out around 12:55am, engulfed the busy SME hub before firefighters could contain it. By the time the City of Harare Fire Brigade arrived on the scene, the inferno had already caused extensive damage.
Furniture, gas cylinders, metal products and various goods were reduced to ashes as flames swept through the tightly packed structures.
"This was our only source of income," said Onisimo Nyazvigo, his voice shaking with emotion. "We've lost everything. How will we recover?"
Another trader, Washington, said he had recently replenished his stock.
"I had just restocked my furniture shop. Now it's all gone. I don't know how I'll start again," he said.
Several other business owners, some of whom declined to be named, described similar devastation, saying years of hard work had been wiped out in a single night.
A few traders managed to salvage part of their operations after firefighters intervened.
"The firefighters pushed the fire away from my shop," one owner said. "I lost some stock, but the main structure is still standing. I'm grateful for that."
Affected entrepreneurs are now appealing for assistance from government, corporate organisations and well-wishers to help them rebuild.
"We need assistance from well-wishers, the government - anyone who can help," Nyazvigo said. "We can't do this on our own."
The incident has also reignited calls for stronger fire safety measures within crowded trading hubs. Business owners are urging authorities to enforce the installation of fire extinguishers, conduct safety training and improve inspections to reduce the risk of similar disasters.
"We need fire extinguishers in our shops and training on how to use them," Washington said, adding that better urban planning could help prevent fires from spreading rapidly.
The destruction is expected to have a significant impact on Mbare's local economy, where small and medium enterprises serve as a primary source of income for many families.
While the efforts of the Fire Brigade have been acknowledged, traders say the road to recovery will be long and uncertain as they begin assessing the full extent of the damage.
The blaze, which reportedly broke out around 12:55am, engulfed the busy SME hub before firefighters could contain it. By the time the City of Harare Fire Brigade arrived on the scene, the inferno had already caused extensive damage.
Furniture, gas cylinders, metal products and various goods were reduced to ashes as flames swept through the tightly packed structures.
"This was our only source of income," said Onisimo Nyazvigo, his voice shaking with emotion. "We've lost everything. How will we recover?"
Another trader, Washington, said he had recently replenished his stock.
"I had just restocked my furniture shop. Now it's all gone. I don't know how I'll start again," he said.
Several other business owners, some of whom declined to be named, described similar devastation, saying years of hard work had been wiped out in a single night.
"The firefighters pushed the fire away from my shop," one owner said. "I lost some stock, but the main structure is still standing. I'm grateful for that."
Affected entrepreneurs are now appealing for assistance from government, corporate organisations and well-wishers to help them rebuild.
"We need assistance from well-wishers, the government - anyone who can help," Nyazvigo said. "We can't do this on our own."
The incident has also reignited calls for stronger fire safety measures within crowded trading hubs. Business owners are urging authorities to enforce the installation of fire extinguishers, conduct safety training and improve inspections to reduce the risk of similar disasters.
"We need fire extinguishers in our shops and training on how to use them," Washington said, adding that better urban planning could help prevent fires from spreading rapidly.
The destruction is expected to have a significant impact on Mbare's local economy, where small and medium enterprises serve as a primary source of income for many families.
While the efforts of the Fire Brigade have been acknowledged, traders say the road to recovery will be long and uncertain as they begin assessing the full extent of the damage.
Source - newsday
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