Fire guts Lilongwe central market

Fire has gutted Lilongwe central market, in the capital city, destroying goods worth millions of kwachas.

A desolate scene at the razed down Lilongwe market
A desolate scene at the razed down Lilongwe market
Fire rescue team arrives hours later
Fire rescue team arrives hours later
Fire seen from the Lilomgwe market next to the bus station
Fire seen from the Lilomgwe market next to the bus station

Eye-witnesses said the fire occurred on Friday dawn but city council’s fire extinguishers came hours later in the morning after most of the merchandise had already been lost in the inferno.

By standers booed at the fire fighters for coming late but the firefighters wore a brave face as they tried to salvage the little thst remained in the internationa market that has traders from Zambia, Tanzania and other countries.

Vendors  blamed Lilongwe  City Council for not responding on time.

“A fire engine arrived when everything was razed down,” said one of the vendors.

He also accused  the rescue team for being unskilled and ill-equipped.

The cause of the fire, at the heart of Old Town, is yet to be established.

Police said it is being investigated.

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Bingu
Bingu
7 years ago

Nde mwati police are investigating ? kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk nkhani ya njaunju ikukanika uku, chasowa, cashgate nde you will also investigate fire mmmmm

Marium Kuyer
Marium Kuyer
7 years ago

Malawi is not safe, we have six crippled fire brigades and no national fire brigade. The Capital City relies on The City Fire Brigade with Two running vehicles to man the whole Central region. For argument sake assuming one vehicle has gone to assist extinguishing fire in Kasungu Kamuzu Academy, then one of the markets gets fire in Dedza, then Parliament Builiding gets fire and then State house, What could happen? There could be chaos. City councils waste resources meant for City Residence who pay City rates when they go to other districts to assist in fire fighting. Why can’t… Read more »

HE the Life President Mfuti Kasinja?
HE the Life President Mfuti Kasinja?
7 years ago

Do we have fire brigade, just fire these people do no have anything to offer.

Manne
Manne
7 years ago

How many fire brigades do we have in malawi in cases like these? Are we safe?

Marium Kuyer
Marium Kuyer
7 years ago
Reply to  Manne

7 Mzuzu City, Lilongwe City, Blantyre City, Chireka Airport, Kia ,Zomba City and Zomba Airwing.

Evangelista Khonje
Evangelista Khonje
7 years ago

Shaaaa.. Malawi the land of flames!

Khima
Khima
7 years ago

Palibe chodabwitsa apa, I sympathise though with the affected. Misika yathu yonse ndi fire in waiting, illegal and unprofessional electrical wire cabling, flame fueling building materials, flamable products kept in very harzadous storage or selling places, arsons, etc. Paja aMalawi we keep complaining about same problems now and forever

Bush Thengo Iri
Bush Thengo Iri
7 years ago

Zintchito za MCP party of fires. Ziotcheranani katundu musova nokha

becks
becks
7 years ago

Most people affected are from DPP belt. Childish and big same

Kanchenga
Kanchenga
7 years ago

How sure are you to say it’s MCP people against other MCP people. There is nothing political in such misfortunes. If anything it’s a result of doing things without planning. In the absence of responsible leadership people elect structures without proper systems. Escom has lost control of their power connection rules. Everyone does the way they wish. This is the result.

vincent
7 years ago

am so sory to the pipo who lost akatundu awo,mulungu abwezera inshaallah

Tinkler
Tinkler
7 years ago

Malawi the Flames under the devilish satanic DPP govt – when you walk with the devil he shows you his capabilites – to kill, destroy and steal. We are in it until we chase the devil from our midst

Mmalawi We Niweni
Mmalawi We Niweni
7 years ago

Malawi…….????????

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