Huge fire consumes Harare shopping mall

A devastating fire broke out last night at a shopping mall located at the corner of Julius Nyerere and Speke Avenue, opposite Joina City, leaving many people counting losses after goods worth thousands of dollars were reduced to ashes.

Electrical failure was thought to be the source of the fire.

Retail establishments such as clothes stores, pharmacies, hair salons, and others were reduced to ruins.

Even though the fire was burning ferociously, some of the tenants stated they had to try to save anything; others, overtaken by emotion, declined to comment.

Some of the residents, as well as those who ran shops there, watched helplessly as their homes burned down as the flames spread.

Although the fire department arrived on the site to put out the fire, the majority of the merchandise on all floors was damaged.

A longtime resident of the building spoke through teary eyes: "It hurts." I am at a loss for words.

"My spouse is still inside, making every effort to save what little remains. But we've already lost a great deal. A few beds, stoves, and blankets were the only items we were able to preserve. The fire was an unexpected and terrifying experience for Ms. Annah Mubaiwa, a seller who worked in the vicinity.

She remarked, "It all happened so fast."

"We heard windows smashing first, and then there was this enormous flame." There are no words to express how I felt at the time. "I guess goods worth millions of dollars have been destroyed because the mall was recently partitioned to accommodate many businesses," stated a man who went by the name Baba Anesu.

Tenants suffered from the once-thriving shopping mall's stench of smoke and ash, as well as the sound of sirens resounding through Harare's streets.

It is interesting to note that thousands of people showed up to see the fire on a Sunday.

While some were still killing time and others were searching for a way home, a large explosion that was thought to be caused by a gas stove caused several to duck for shelter.