Fire guts CBD mall, leaving traders with heavy losses

Source: Fire guts CBD mall, leaving traders with heavy losses – herald

Remember Deketeke

Herald Reporter

A RAGING fire, suspected to have originated from an electrical fault linked to a corn snacks production unit, gutted XGX Mall, a busy complex that housed over 40 tuckshops, leaving traders counting heavy losses running into thousands of United States dollars.

The inferno, which broke out on Saturday afternoon, quickly engulfed the entire complex despite efforts by shop owners and bystanders to douse the flames.

When The Herald arrived at the scene, the fire had already been contained, but the destruction was widespread. Charred remains of goods, scorched metal shutters and broken glass painted a picture of devastation.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident, saying investigations were underway.

“Investigations are still ongoing to establish the cause of the fire and the total value of the goods and property destroyed. Several shops were destroyed and no one was injured,” he said.

Eyewitnesses said the fire may have started at the back section of the mall, where one of the tenants operated a corn snacks production facility and is suspected to have been triggered by an electrical fault.

Eyewitness Mr Leeroy Muchina said the day had started normally until someone raised the alarm. “Everything was okay. We were just serving customers when a friend of mine who had just come from Copa Cabana bus terminus rushed in and told us there was smoke coming from the back of the complex,” he said. “At first we thought it was just a small incident, but within minutes, smoke started billowing through the roof and people began to panic.”

Another witness, Mr Bothwell Makaza, said the fire appeared to have started at a shop where corn snacks were made.

“The fire could have started at the back. There is a shop that makes maputi (corn snacks) and that area is full of electrical appliances and heating equipment. It is likely that something short-circuited and sparked the fire,” he said.

Despite quick efforts by those on site to salvage goods, most of the property was consumed by the flames before emergency services arrived. “We tried to break in and pull out our stock, but the flames were already too strong,” said Mr Makaza. “I lost everything: my groceries, cash, even records. It is thousands and thousands of dollars gone in minutes.”

Several other shop owners could be seen sifting through the ashes in a desperate attempt to recover any salvageable items. Many expressed frustration over the lack of fire extinguishers and poor fire preparedness within the complex. XGX Mall, located near a busy commuter and vending area, was a popular marketplace offering everything from groceries and electronics to clothing and fast food. Most of the traders operating in the complex were informal retailers with no insurance coverage.