The Chronicle reports that property worth more than $300 000 was destroyed when a huge fire gutted Bulawayo’s biggest flea market, Unity Village which is located at the corner of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street and 6th Avenue
Bulawayo Fire Brigade Senior Divisional officer Mr Edward Mpofu told The Chronicle that preliminary investigations point to an electrical fault as the cause of the fire. He said they were however, still investigating before making a final conclusion. Mpofu said the premises’ security guards unsuccessfully used a fire extinguisher to deal with the fire before calling the Fire Brigade.
Mpofu they were called at 9.44PM and arrived at the scene at 9.49PM. He said the fire destroyed 37 stalls that were well stocked with a variety of goods and could have originated from any of stalls 11, 16 or 42. Said Mpofu:
When the brigade arrived about five minutes after receiving the first call for help, the fire was found well alight and involving about 37 stalls that were well stocked with a variety of goods. The brigade observed that the fire burnt with a lot of intensity as most of the structures were deformed. The electrical wiring was also severely affected. The circuit breaker supplying the affected area had three breakers that tripped. Investigations reveal that the fire originated from any of stalls 11, 16 or 42 and that most likely as a result of an electrical gadget like a kettle left ‘on’ or due to an electrical fault.
More: Chronicle