Fire razes down Balaka Market
As business ventures are nursing the wounds of the economic challenges the country is facing, fierce fire has gutted down part of Balaka Main market during the early hours of Thursday.
A business woman at the market, Marriam Yunusu, told Nyasa Times the fire which is believed to have originated from one of the restaurant has destroyed all properties including buildings, shops and benches situated at Mthandizi mini market.
Yunusu said she did not believe herself when she saw that all buildings at Mthandizi (part of the main market) are grounded.
“I was very much shocked to see that the part of Mthandizi market is gutted as I was approaching the market,” Yunusu said.
Yunusu said she believed that the owner of one the restaurant forgot to light off the fire as most of them use to prepare their food for their customers.
She said that it is difficult to state the cost of damages accident has caused but she however approximated of millions.
Meanwhile Balaka Police Public Relation Officer, Joseph Sauka, has confirmed to Nyasa Times about the fire which gutted the market but refused to give the detailed account , saying police are still investigating the cause and the cost of damages.
There have series of fire accident in most markets of the country including Mangochi, Zomba, Ndirande, Mzuzu and Blantyre Flee market and many more.
Many people have blamed government for failing to trace perpetrators of such malpractices.
