HARARE – A fire razed down the Glen View Area 8 Home Industry Complex along Willowvale Road in Harare on Monday, destroying property running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
It was the third fire at the complex this year – but the most destructive as it swept through nearly two thirds of the stalls.
No injuries were reported.
The cause of the blaze could not be immediately established, but traders who lost property were speculating it could have been sparked by a faulty generator.
Clemer Mafoti, the Divisional Officer of the Harare Fire Brigade Divisional Officer, said owing to limited equipment, most of their focus had been on preventing the fire from spreading to a petrol station nearby, which could have triggered a major catastrophe.
The fire was first detected at 2PM with traders valiantly trying their best to put it out, while other scrambled to take their wares to safety.
The Harare Fire Brigade was at the scene within 15 minutes with two fire engines but they quickly ran out of water.
City of Harare spokesman Michael Chideme blamed what he called “space barons” operating at the complex for denying council access to fix amenities like roads and inspect and install fire hydrants.
