Shops, goods burnt to ashes as fire razes Mabvuku ...

Shops, goods burnt to ashes as fire razes Mabvuku flea market

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

Five shops and goods worth thousands of dollars were destroyed on Thursday night following an inferno at local roadside flea markets in Mabvuku.

The fire was reportedly ignited by a leaking liquid petroleum gas tank.

The incident, which happened around 2000 hours, is reported to have resulted from reckless handling while filling a gas tank close to a charcoal stove.

Eyewitnesses said the woman attending the gas, reportedly failed to cover the small flame before it spread out to connected shops that also sell LPG, resulting in a huge blaze that destroyed at least four other nearby shops and goods worth thousands of dollars.

According to an eye witnesses, the woman filling the gas opened the gas valve to allow air out in the direction of a charcoal stove, leading to a big eruption burning down the hardware stores next to the shop.

A Grade Six learner got injured in the incident, sustaining burns on his arms and legs, while fleeing from the inferno.

When the Harare Fire Brigade on the scene, the fire had already consumed the wooden poles that held the foundations of the shops.

One of the affected shopowners, broke down in tears when asked for comment, saying he had invested a lot in the hardware shop, which was his only source of a livelihood.

“I am heartbroken, my shop was my only source of income, for food and paying for my children’s school fees. I have nowhere to start from now,” said the man in shock.

Mabvuku/Tafara Constituency Member of Parliament, Pedzai Scott Sakupwanya visited the scene, where he met with the shopowners and promised to rebuild their cabins as well as restore their products.

“Write your names down, together with all the stuff that was destroyed, so that I can help you recover and get back into business,” Sakupwanya said.