Another market  fire hits Mzimba

Vendors in Mzimba District had a rude awakening last Thursday as fire burnt down a market and property estimated at K240 million ($436,363).

For the past month, Malawi has experienced a series of fires mostly affecting markets. Causes of the fires are yet to be established, but in some incidents, vendors suspect foul play.

Just like the other incidents, the fire in Mzimba started at night and its cause is yet to be established

Mzimba district commissioner(DC) Thomas Chirwa on Friday confirmed that a market commonly known as Vigwagwa in Mzimba had been destroyed by fire. He said property estimated above K200 million ($363,636) was destroyed, but the damage could have been worse if some vendors had not relocated to the main market that was also earlier burnt down by fire.

“We don’t know the cause yet. I have asked around but no one knows what caused the fire,” said Chirwa.

He bemoaned the recent trend of fires, saying it is now becoming a crisis to the country as it is impoverishing innocent vendors and other people that look up to them for support.

He said the fires will also bar financial institutions from lending money to vendors as they will not be sure about securing their money.

Chirwa said there is need for police to institute proper investigations into the fires. He said the trend is raising suspicions that some people could be deliberately igniting the fires.

Northern Region Police spokesperson Maurice Chapola said investigations into the fires are underway.