Fire Guts Mbare Retail Market
"We have to modernise Mbare and the markets as a matter of urgency" - Jacob Mafume, Harare mayor
Fire Guts Mbare Retail Market
A massive fire erupted at Mbare Musika market in Harare on Tuesday night, leading to significant destruction of property and livelihoods for many vendors.
Mbare Musika Gutted by Fire, Wares Looted
The cause of the blaze remains unknown, leaving the community anxious and concerned about the aftermath. Community-based emergency assistance groups sprang into action, mobilizing approximately 90,000 liters of water to help the Fire Brigade combat the inferno.
Despite their efforts, the situation was complicated by a large crowd at the scene, with reports of looting emerging from the informal market hub. In response, police were deployed to help manage the situation and clear the area.
In an update shared around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, the Harare City Council announced that the fire had been controlled.
Fire Guts Mbare Retail Market
They praised the coordinated efforts of various agencies involved, including the ZRP and the Emergency Help Group, which provided essential resources like water bowsers and fire tenders.
“The fire at Mbare Musika is now under control only after the ZRP cleared the huge crowd that had gathered. Fire tenders and water bowsers provided by the Emergency Help Group managed to gain access to the fire. Well done to the City of Harare Fire Team once again for a great job and a big thank you to ZRP and the Emergency Help Group,” the Council’s update stated.
Mayor Jacob Mafume who visited the scene early Wednesday morning posted on X (formerly Twitter): “At the Mbare Retail market! The fire spread rapidly because of the nature of products in the market and wooden stalls.The firebrigade has contained the fire. It will take some time to put out. We have to modernise Mbare and the markets as a matter of urgency.“
