Harare, Zimbabwe: The Shopping Mall located at the corner of Julius Nyerere and Speke Avenue was caught by fire on Jan 28, 2024. The devastating fire broke in the mall at night that is located opposite Joina City. The fire caused many people to leave their goods worth thousands of dollars which were reduced to ashes.
As per the sources, the fire is suspected to be caused by an electrical fault of short circuit in the mall. Clothing stores in the shopping mall including Hair Salons, Pharmacies and other retail businesses were shattered and only debris was left.
According to the reports, some of the tenants were sad, and some said that they needed to try and salvage something despite the fact that the fire was raging viciously.
As the flames of fire raged higher, some people who also used to live there while operating their shops, watched and stand helplessly as their living place was completely destroyed by the fire.
Reportedly, the fire brigade reached the place to extinguish the flame, but most of the wares in the stores on all floors were destroyed.
A woman named Annah Mubaiwa, who lived in the building for long time told a reporter that, it hurts and she can’t even put it into words.
While expressing on the spot, she said, “My husband is still inside, trying to save whatever little he can, but have also lost so much already. All we managed to salvage were a few beds, stoves and blankets.” For her the fire was a sudden horrifying event.
Mubaiwa said that it all happened so fast, “First, we heard the sound of breaking windows, then there was this huge flame. I can’t even describe how I felt at that moment.”
A man named Baba Anesu also reported and said, “I guess goods worth millions of dollars have been destroyed because the mall was recently partitioned to accommodate many businesses.”
Thousands of people witnessed the fire on Sunday. Some were looking for transport to go home while others were passing time, and many scurried for cover after the huge explosion.
The Shop owners rescued their stocks after the mall caught on fire, and some were also arrested by the police who were allegedly trying to steal from shop owners.
Moreover, the actual cause of the fire is still unknown, but it is suspected that it might have occurred due to an electrical fault or short circuit, and the firefighters are currently trying to extinguish the inferno.