National News

K45m property destroyed in Mchinji market fire

 

Property worth K45 million was lost in the fire that gutted Mchinji Market on Saturday afternoon after an Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) overhead power line fell on one of the shops.

Mchinji Kaunjika Market chairperson Yusuf M’bwana said traders are now desperate after their merchandise was destroyed.

Traders at the burnt market
Traders at the burnt market

“We had no power in Mchinji on Saturday and when electricity supply was restored around 3pm, there were sparks on Escom  poles  and one of the overhead power lines connecting to the poles fell on one of the shops.

“The fire burnt down the shop and other shacks  where we sell second hand clothes,” he said

Mchinji district disaster management officer Kingsley Chioko said 92 traders had their property destroyed.

“We have assessed the damage and so far, goods worth K45 million have been lost. We have since sent the report to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for action,” he said

Mchinji Escom officer-in-charge Richard Ndelema said his office is investigating the cause of the fire. n

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