Revealed: Mbare Magaba Market Fire Damage Estimated To Be US$20K

The recent fire at Mbare Magaba Market last week has resulted in significant financial losses, with initial estimates indicating damages ranging from US$16,000 to $20,000 as reported by local authorities. According to Harare City Council’s SME Committee Chair, Councillor Denford Ngadziore, the committee is currently gathering details of the incident to compile a formal report for the council.

In a recent interview, Clr Ngadziore mentioned, “Compensation for affected traders is being considered as a possibility.”

Safety improvements are being planned for the market, with the committee organizing an emergency meeting next week to implement crucial safety enhancements. These measures include finalizing long-pending lease agreements, installing fire hydrants, and establishing designated zones for flammable goods throughout the market.

The City of Harare aims to create a comprehensive vendor code of conduct and ensure that all vendors are registered and have lease agreements with the council. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have started due to a discarded cigarette.

Strict regulations on smoking within the market area are being put in place to prevent similar incidents, Ngadziore added during a site assessment visit.

Firefighters successfully contained the fire, preventing further damage to neighboring sections of the market. The focus of the new safety measures will be on safely storing flammable materials like paints and thinners, segregating them from general merchandise areas.

This incident follows a similar fire at the Mbare vegetable market last year. The vegetable market has since been reconstructed and vendors are operating again. The Mbare Magaba market may undergo a similar transformation in the future.