Hundreds Of Traders Lose Stock In Magaba Complex Blaze

Hundreds of informal traders at the Magaba Complex in Mbare, Harare, have been left counting their losses after a huge fire tore through the commercial hub in the early hours of Friday morning.

The blaze, which reportedly started around 1 AM, raged for more than five hours as municipal fire crews battled to bring it under control.

The Harare City Council Fire Brigade sent three fire tenders to the scene immediately after receiving the emergency call.

In a statement released early on Friday, Harare City Council said:

“Happening now… A huge fire has broken out at Magaba Complex in Mbare. Our fire fighters promptly responded when the call was made and they are currently working to put the raging inferno under control.

“We urge residents to exercise extreme caution around the affected area.”

In an update, the council said the Emergency Help Group had supplied water tankers to assist the Fire Brigade. It reads:

“The situation at Magaba Complex, where our Fire Brigade team is battling to put this massive inferno under control.

“Three fire tenders have been deployed to fight the fire.

“To avoid a situation where our fire tenders have to be driven back to the fire station to fetch more water, the Emergency Help Group provided tankers of water.”

​The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and authorities say investigations are ongoing to establish how the blaze started.