Standard Bank fire put out, bank assessing situation

A fire ripped through the Standard Bank in Malawi’s Capital City Lilongwe on Saturday.

Although the cause of the fire could not be readily ascertained, the bank building was badly affected by the inferno.

According to the eyewitness, the fire started around 5pm when the bank was closed. The fire caught the top side of the bank damaging the ceiling and computers.

Lilongwe city fire brigade came in time to contain the fire before it spread to the rest of the building

Standard Bank managing director Andrew Mashada assured all its customersand other concerned stakeholders that situation following the fire is now under control.

He also added that the fire should not cause public panic as the situation was quickly stabilized.

“Standard Bank has established that all members of staff are safe and accounted for. During the fire, there was no one inside the side of the building affected by the fire,” said Mashada.

He said all key players such as the Fire Department of Lilongwe City Assembly, Police and Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) were on site to attend to the incident.

“In due course, Standard Bank will update the public, and all concerned stakeholders on any further information regarding this incident.

“Together with authorities, we are working hard to establish the cause of the accident and will issue a public statement as and when all facts of the matter are determined,” said the bank’s boss.

This is just few months after fire also gutted down markets in Lilongwe and Mzuzu where goods worth millions were destroyed during the incident.