News / National
Devastating fire ravages Magaba in Mbare
6 hrs ago | Views
A fierce blaze erupted late last night at the bustling Magaba area in Mbare, leaving a trail of destruction and despair among Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) traders who lost equipment, stock, and their livelihoods.
The fire, which tore through informal manufacturing and trading stalls, reduced valuable tools and goods to ashâdestroying grinders, fridges, drills, plumbing materials, and other essential equipment used by hundreds of local entrepreneurs. Many of the affected traders rely entirely on daily income from their operations to feed their families and make ends meet.
When the ZBC News crew arrived at the scene early this morning, traders were seen rummaging through the charred remains of their stalls, some in tears, trying to salvage anything of value from the wreckage.
"I lost everything in the fire last night. I had just restocked, and now I'm at a complete loss. I don't know how I'll survive," said one devastated trader. "This was my only source of livelihood."
Another vendor lamented, "It is heartbreaking. The fire came just after I had bought new stock. Watching it all burn was devastating."
A third victim expressed deep despair, saying, "I am shattered. All my hopes are gone. This is where I earned money to feed and take care of my children."
Chairperson of the Mukuvisi Manufacturing Traders Association, Mr Christopher Makopa, estimated the value of the property lost in the inferno at around US$15,000. He commended the quick response of the Harare Fire Brigade, which he said prevented the fire from spreading further and causing even greater damage.
"It is sad that traders were affected by the inferno which destroyed their property yesterday. I was called by the security informing me of the incident, and I want to thank the fire brigade for their swift reaction," Makopa said.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.
"We are currently working together with the Fire Brigade to establish the cause of the fire incident which destroyed the property in Mbare," said Commissioner Nyathi.
This tragic event marks yet another fire-related setback for the Mbare community. Just last year, a fire gutted the Mbare Musika vegetable market, prompting government intervention and the construction of a new state-of-the-art trading facility. The latest incident is expected to renew calls for improved safety measures and infrastructure upgrades in informal business zones.
Local authorities and government representatives are expected to visit the site in the coming days to assess the damage and discuss possible assistance for the affected traders.
The fire, which tore through informal manufacturing and trading stalls, reduced valuable tools and goods to ashâdestroying grinders, fridges, drills, plumbing materials, and other essential equipment used by hundreds of local entrepreneurs. Many of the affected traders rely entirely on daily income from their operations to feed their families and make ends meet.
When the ZBC News crew arrived at the scene early this morning, traders were seen rummaging through the charred remains of their stalls, some in tears, trying to salvage anything of value from the wreckage.
"I lost everything in the fire last night. I had just restocked, and now I'm at a complete loss. I don't know how I'll survive," said one devastated trader. "This was my only source of livelihood."
Another vendor lamented, "It is heartbreaking. The fire came just after I had bought new stock. Watching it all burn was devastating."
A third victim expressed deep despair, saying, "I am shattered. All my hopes are gone. This is where I earned money to feed and take care of my children."
Chairperson of the Mukuvisi Manufacturing Traders Association, Mr Christopher Makopa, estimated the value of the property lost in the inferno at around US$15,000. He commended the quick response of the Harare Fire Brigade, which he said prevented the fire from spreading further and causing even greater damage.
"It is sad that traders were affected by the inferno which destroyed their property yesterday. I was called by the security informing me of the incident, and I want to thank the fire brigade for their swift reaction," Makopa said.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.
"We are currently working together with the Fire Brigade to establish the cause of the fire incident which destroyed the property in Mbare," said Commissioner Nyathi.
This tragic event marks yet another fire-related setback for the Mbare community. Just last year, a fire gutted the Mbare Musika vegetable market, prompting government intervention and the construction of a new state-of-the-art trading facility. The latest incident is expected to renew calls for improved safety measures and infrastructure upgrades in informal business zones.
Local authorities and government representatives are expected to visit the site in the coming days to assess the damage and discuss possible assistance for the affected traders.
Source - zbc
