Fire guts Blantyre Market

Fire on Tuesday night destroyed about eight shops and other property in Blantyre Market.

In an interview, market chairperson Samson Mulangeni said they suspect the fire was caused by someone who threw a petrol bomb.

He said the fire started around 11 pm and was put out by 5 am.

“According to one of the guards, there was a sound of something falling in the market and within minutes, fire broke out,” said Mulangeni.

In a separate interview, a vendor who lost property, Arnold Wadi, asked government to assist.

“I have lost almost everything that I have worked for. Apart from the property, there was money amounting to K300 000 for the market village bank and another K78 000 that I had saved,” he said.

When The Nation visited the market yesterday in the morning, some vendors were seen clearing the ashes while others sat outside their shops, visibly shocked by the loss.

Blantyre Police Station spokesperson Augustus Nkhwazi said they were still investigating the matter and asked for more time.

“We are working with relevant stakeholders to establish the cause of the fire and value of the property,” he said.

The police have since asked those with information to report to them.