Massive fire destroys Glenview furniture market

A devastating fire swept through the Glenview Area 8 Furniture Market in Harare during the early hours of today, destroying hundreds of stalls and leaving thousands of traders facing massive losses.

The blaze reportedly broke out around 1AM and rapidly engulfed the popular furniture trading hub, reducing workshops, furniture stock, raw materials and equipment to ashes.

Authorities said 483 stalls were destroyed in the inferno, affecting more than 2,000 traders who operate at the market.

Initial estimates place the value of the losses at around US$15 million.

Firefighters managed to contain the blaze before it spread further, although most structures within the market could not be saved due to the intensity of the fire.

Authorities are now investigating the cause of the incident, with possible arson or an electrical fault among the theories being considered.

The Civil Protection Unit, working together with various Government departments including the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, has begun assessing the full extent of the damage.

Officials indicated that the scale of destruction may warrant the incident being declared a national disaster, as the entire market is expected to require extensive rebuilding.

The Glenview Area 8 Furniture Market is one of Zimbabwe's largest informal furniture manufacturing and trading centres, supporting thousands of livelihoods through carpentry and related small businesses in Harare.