Fire destroys factory in Limbe

Fire on Monday night destroyed Moon Puff Tiger Company premises in Limbe, Blantyre.

During a visit to the company yesterday morning, workers were seen standing outside the premises, watching the smoke rise from the burnt premises.

In an interview, Moon Puff  Tiger managing director Taufiq Umbada said the fire started at around 6pm on Monday.

He said the fire started from the company’s second warehouse.

Said Umbada: “The sparks started from our second warehouse, but spread rapidly to other department.

“The fire brigade from Chileka Airport arrived late and could not put out the fire.”

He said the company has 1 500 workers who will be affected, adding that they are trying to find another place to relocate to.

Umbada could not clearly disclose the amount of property destroyed, but said 80 percent of property kept in the company’s main office has been lost.

One of the workers at the company’s department of transport, Enock Hussen Banda, said workers will be affected since work has grounded.

“About 200 people do piecework on daily basis, but now they will struggle to feed their families,” he said.

Limbe Police Station spokesperson Patrick Mussa said investigations were underway to establish the cause of the fire.